The government may no longer provide any more extensions for the consolidation of individual public utility vehicle (PUV) operators into transportation cooperatives or corporations.
According to Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, his office will be firm on the new deadline for industry consolidation on April 30.
“I think three months is more than enough time for them to consolidate…what we are really after are those who are willing to consolidate,” Bautista said on Thursday. “After April 30, we will no longer recommend an extension. This is already the eight extension,” the DOTr chief added.
Senator Grace Poe, presiding chairperson of the Senate Public Services panel, for her part said, the April 30, 2024 extension of the deadline set under the Public Utility Vehicle PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) should be used for a thorough review of the program so that fears raised by transportation groups on their livelihood, and the real risk of a shortage of units for commuters can be better resolved,
She reminded, “Pulling the brakes on PUVMP is a far reaching initiative when the welfare of our commuting public and the livelihood of thousands of drivers are at stake.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on late Wednesday approved the extension of industry consolidation “to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cut-off.”
The prior deadline for applications was set at December 31 last year.
Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos also hailed the three-month extension but prodded authorities to use the reprieve to sort out the serious concerns raised by stakeholders.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had allowed operators on unconsolidated routes to continue services until January 31, beyond which they would face apprehension for operating illegally.
Bautista, highlighting a national consolidation rate of 76 percent, expressed confidence in the program’s implementation. He anticipates a rise in this rate to 85 percent following the April 30 deadline, indicating a strong likelihood of the project’s success.
“Seventy-six percent is more than enough to implement the program,” he said. “At 85 percent, I’m very sure this will be a very successful project.”
Teofilo Guadiz III, chairman of LTFRB, acknowledged the receipt of numerous requests for late consolidation filing.
“With this directive for an extension, we will act on these motions ASAP,” Guadiz said.
The extension will also provide a temporary reprieve from the apprehensions of unconsolidated PUV units scheduled to begin on February 1.
Unconsolidated routes
Data from the LTFRB reveal that 1,767 routes nationwide currently lack consolidated public utility jeepney (PUJ) entities. Bicol and Metro Manila lead in the number of unconsolidated routes, with the latter showing only a 52 percent consolidation rate as of the previous deadline.
“We are expecting the remaining 48 percent will heed to this extension and file for consolidation,” LTFRB National Capital Region Director Zona Tamayo said.
The PUVMP, initiated by the Philippine government in 2017, aims to overhaul the nation’s public transportation system, particularly focusing on jeepneys, the backbone of public transit in the Philippines.
The program aims to modernize and unify the fragmented public utility vehicle industry, emphasizing the replacement of older vehicles with those meeting Euro 4 emissions standards.
The program’s objectives include changing the franchising system, introducing new routes, and providing education to drivers.
Commuter groups and networks and driver organizations have called on the government to delay the implementation of the program, as this will result in a significant loss in transport supply, which they argue has already been insufficient to meet the current demand.
‘Stumbling block’
Poe proposed the three-month extension “can be best utilized conducting a thorough review of the program to see its gains and better understand the defiance of some groups to it.”
She reminded that “the high cost of the new vehicles has proven to be a big stumbling block to the rollout of modernization, and should not be ignored.”
The senator recalled reports of idle units and missed amortization payments by some consolidated groups must be looked into to see the viability of the program.
Poe pointed out “transport officials should also be open to low cost alternatives, such as rehabilitation of jeepneys that are roadworthy to make them environmentally-compliant.“
“Modernization is not just about consolidation and throwing to the junkyard our iconic jeepneys,” Poe reminded, adding, “It should be about rejuvenating our transportation landscape to make it safer and more reliable to our commuters, and at the same time sustainable to our drivers and operators.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. heroes paid tribute on Thursday to the 44 members of the Philippine National Police—Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos killed in the historic Mamasapano clash a decade ago in Maguindanao.
Despite the honors accorded to the fallen policemen, however, former SAF Director Getulio P. Napeñas said justice remains elusive as those responsible for their brutal deaths remain at large.
‘Warriors of peace’
On Thursday, Marcos participated in the wreath-laying ceremony for the Day of the National Remembrance of the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44 in their memorial statue at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang Cavite.
The commemoration is in line with Proclamation No. 164 of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte, which declared January 25 of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44.
During the event, the President called the SAF 44 “warriors for peace,” who kept the country safe.
He urged Filipinos to follow their example of patriotism and facing challenges head on, including defending the country against threats.
“We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people. We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who would trespass upon it,” Marcos said.
The President said he hopes the country’s recognition of the contribution of the SAF 44 will provide comfort to their loved ones.
Call for justice
Napeñas, who was also present in the ceremony, said the families of the fallen SAF members also deserve justice, which he hopes the Marcos administration would be able provide.
“Was there a case filed against those people who killed the 44? Until now, not yet…so do you think justice has been served,” Napeñas told reporters in an interview.
The SAF 44 were killed by insurgents during the execution of “Oplan Exodus,” a police operation to capture Malaysian bomb maker and Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
After Marwan was “neutralized,” members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and other private armed groups ambushed the SAF troopers.
Napeñas, who was the head of SAF that time, faced charges before the Sandiganbayan for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide as well as graft and usurpation of authority. The said cases, however, were later dismissed.
Napeñas, however, noted the Ombudsman issued an order, which dismissed him from the service and forfeited all his government benefits.
“I was already receiving my pension for almost a year then suddenly they came up with that order, which removed my pension benefits. I am still fighting [for its restoration]. I hope the present administration will give justice for what happened,” Napeñas said.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes