SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the Ilocos Region reported on Tuesday that 75 percent of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), UV Express, public utility buses (PUBs), and mini-bus operators have been consolidated as part of the massive implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The 75 percent translates to 4,596 units of jeepneys, UV Express, and PUBs.
The industry consolidation component of the PUVMP aims to put together the fragmented public transport operations by organizing individual operators into a single Transport Service Entity (TSE), either through a cooperative or a corporation.
“Ang ating ahensya ay mayroong pinakapangunahing layunin na maging modernized po ‘yong pampublikong transportasyon po natin para maging maayos, ma-organize po ‘yong pagpapatakbo ng mga PUVs po natin sa daan, and of course para sa mga commuters, magkaroon din po ng convenient, accessible, safe and secure, and affordable na public transportation,” said Mark Anthony Espenilla of the LTFRB regional office.
(Our agency’s main objective is to have a modernized and organized public transport, while convenient, accessible, safe, secure, and affordable public transportation for commuters.)
While the deadline for consolidation has already passed, there is a provision allowing operators who have yet to complete the consolidation process to continue plying their routes until January 31.
“Ang atin pong ahensya ay pwede pong mag-issue ng special permits sa mga consolidated entities kung saan bibiyahe po doon sa partikular na ruta, if ever man na may maapektuhan na ruta after January 31,” said Espenilla.
(Our agency may issue special permits to consolidated entities which can drive on a particular route, if they might be affected after January 31.)
Even if there are operators who missed the consolidation deadline, the LTFRB gave its assurance that no jeepney driver will lose his livelihood as they may avail of social support programs such as “enTSUPERneur” and “Tsuper Iskolar Program” which are implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). (JCR/MJTAB/KJCR, PIA La Union)
