MANILA — Jeepney drivers and operators who have already complied with the government’s consolidation program under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) should not be placed at a disadvantage, a senator emphasized on Friday.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros explained that her concern for these compliant drivers and operators was the reason she did not sign Senate Resolution 1096, which called for the suspension of the PUVMP. The resolution, signed by all other senators on July 30, sought to temporarily halt the program.
“Pumasok na sila sa programa, nag-apply na sila sa loan sa bangko, simulan na nilang i-dismantle ‘yung mga lumang jeepney nila. Huwag naman silang madehado, di ba? Kasi sumunod na sila eh, pumasok na sila at nagsimula na silang mag-comply,” the senator remarked.
Hontiveros expressed her willingness to sign the resolution if changes are made to address her concerns.
“Ipu-put on record ko ‘yun, ipo-propose ko ‘yung amendments, hopeful ako na tatanggapin ni Chair Raffy [Tulfo]. Pipirmahan ko rin naman ‘yung resolution basta may ganung mga improvements,” she said.
The consolidation phase of the PUVMP requires jeepney operators to join cooperatives, which have two to three years to replace their old vehicles with modern, safer, and more environmentally friendly ones. Operators in cooperatives will have access to bank loans and receive government subsidies ranging from P200,000 to P300,000 per vehicle to ease the financial burden of modernization.
As of July 31, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported an 83 percent nationwide consolidation rate following the April 30 deadline. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the call from senators to suspend the program, and the DOTr has announced that a crackdown on unconsolidated or “colorum” PUVs is forthcoming.