THE Senate Public Services committee tackling the planned modernization of public-utility vehicles (PUVs) is inclined to recommend a five-year transition period for the modernization to fully take effect, owing to the lack of consultations and the seeming premature execution of the program in the light of soaring prices of fuel and basic goods.
The panel chairperson, Sen. Grace Poe, said that while she fully agrees with modernizing public transportation including the most iconic jeepney, once dubbed the King of the Road, the policies set forth in the modernization could result in massive loss of jobs and may only unduly favor big corporations.
“The LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] did not give our drivers a chance to be heard; there was no consultation. They just kep issuing memo circulars when they were not prepared for the changes,” Poe told reporters on the sidelines of the hearing, referring to several issuances by the transport regulator that set a March 2019 deadline for jeepney operators to form a cooperative or a corporation to secure bank loans.
Transport leaders representing jeepney drivers and operators said there were no inclusive consultations on the modernization and they warned that older jeepneys—although emission-compliant and roadworthy—could be phased out. They said thousand of small-time jeepney operators may lose their livelihood and may be left without something to fend for their families.
In addition, Poe’s panel was told that the LTFRB opened new or “developmental” jeepney routes without holding a public hearing and without the knowledge of the transport stakeholders.
“It’s clear that government is not ready for the phaseout of all public- utility vehicles that are non-compliant with their modernization requirement because it’s not even clear what their requirements are. We had said that modernization means the PUVs are safe and compliant with the Clean Air Act, that’s all. Why are they rushing and then taking away the jobs of hundreds of thousands of drivers?” Poe asked, in a mix of English and Filipino.
Under pressure by senators and stiff opposition from transport leaders, the state’s transport regulator agreed in principle to hold in abeyance the implementation of the March 2019 deadline for jeepney operators and drivers to consolidate themselves and form a corporation or cooperative to be able to participate in the modernization.
Poe also backed Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto’s suggestion to let the market forces decide and implement the modernization voluntarily among transport operators.
“It’s not even clear how the drivers can borrow funds in order to buy new vehicles. It’s also unclear what the new requirements for these vehicles are. As of now, the government is not prepared, and our commuting public will lose vehicles to ride on , while many drivers will lose jobs,” she added.