MANILA – The government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) still has the support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid calls for its suspension.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III made the statement following the protest of drivers and operators who already complied with the PUVMP.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang programa. Sinusuportahan ng Pangulo ang programa. At tuloy-tuloy ito hanggang sa matapos po ‘yung final stages ng modernisasyon,” Guadiz said.
He added: “Makakaasa po ang buong bayan, sa suporta ng Department of Transportation, ang Pangulo ay nasa kanila. Walang mangyayaring suspensyon. Tuloy-tuloy po ang programa.”
Recently, almost majority of the senators signed proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP.
In the resolution, the lawmakers cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phase-out of the iconic jeepney design “in favor of so-called modern jeepneys”, 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
