The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday dismissed as false information the assertion that public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be phased out beginning June 30 this year.
“Alam niyo po, yung phase out ng old equipment di pa naman i-implement yan by June 30. Yong deadline na binigay namin doon sa mga jeepney operator ay ‘yong deadline to consolidate as a cooperative or as a corporation,” Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista told reporters in a mix of Tagalog and English to ensure he is understood by a multitude of constituent PUJ drivers and operators.
The June 30 deadline relates to the timeframe within which PUJ operators and drivers must incorporate themselves either as corporations or as cooperatives to gain standing for when they confront the regulators for issues that affect their livelihood at some point ahead.
“So, hindi ibig sabihin na by June 30, dapat meron ng bagong equipment. Kaya nga gusto namin sila makausap, gusto namin ng dialogue para maexplain namin ‘yong the whole program ng ating modernization,” he said of the intent to meet with the PUJ entities to clarify the false information that has alarmed and confused their members.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier issued Memorandum Circular 2023-013 giving PUV operators only until June 30, 2023 to join an existing consolidated entity or risk the revocation of their certificate of public convenience (CPC).
Bautista also emphasized the DOTr that oversees the LTFRB is open to extending the franchise of old traditional jeepneys beyond December 31 this year to ensure there is enough supply of public utility vehicles (PUVs) serving the public.
“Kawawa naman ang mga pasahero natin kung basta na lang titigil ‘yong operation ng mga lumang sasakyan pero wala naman kapalit. Kaya nga ang implementation niyan [PUVMP] merong different phases. Ito ang gusto naming ipakiusap sa mga grupong ito na pagusapan natin and kailangan talagang magkaintindihan lang,” he added.
In a related development, LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the agency will extend anew the June 30 deadlines for PUJ operators to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations to December 31 this year.
“We are coming out with a new memorandum circular extending the deadline to December 31, 2023,” he said of the provisional PUJ authority that should expire on June 30 this year but have been deferred instead to December 31, 2023.
According to him, more than 90 percent of transport groups have signified their support of the LTFRB program.
“In deference to the Senate resolution of Senator Grace Poe and to the request of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation, we will extend the deadline to allow for the transport sector more time to consolidate,” he said
Manibela transport group leader, Mar Valbuena, had said more than 100,000 jeepney and UV Express drivers in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Cagayan De Oro look to participate in the planned strike in protest of the PUV Modernization Program that permanently kills old and dilapidated PUVs.
The week-long transport strike will start on March 6 at 7 a.m. until March 12, he said.
