MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong’” Marcos Jr. expressed opposition to calls to suspend the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
According to the Chief Executive, he disagrees with the Senate resolution calling for the suspension of the modernization program, which has been postponed several times.
“Sinasabi nila minadali. This has been postponed seven times…and those that have been objecting or have been crying out and asking for suspension are in the minority,” Marcos said in an interview in Pampanga on Wednesday.
“Eighty [percent] have already consolidated so papaano naman if yung 20% ang magde-decide ng buhay ng 100%? So pakinggan natin ang majority, at ang majority sinasabi ituloy natin,” he added.
Recently, almost majority of senators signed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the PUVMP.
They cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, the phase-out of the iconic jeepney design “in favor of so-called modern jeepneys”, and low percentage of approved routes, among others.
The PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.
Initially, the LTFRB had said that PUVs that did not consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be deemed as “colorum” or a PUV operating without a franchise.
However, LTFRB has allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low number of consolidations./PN
