BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will continue to receive consolidation applications until April 30, the final deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
 
Elmer Mendoza of the Department of Transportation LTFRB-CAR reminded drivers and operators that they will receive consolidation applications until Tuesday, April 30.

Operators who fail to meet the consolidation deadline risk being classified as colorum and will be prohibited from operating starting May 1, 2024.
 
"Sa consolidation, iniba lang natin 'yung management as part of the modernization program. Being consolidated, hindi na sila 'yung kanya-kanya na nagma-manage ng kanilang individual unit and of course, sa modernization dahil sila ay consolidated, mayroon na tayong tinatawag na sharing of resources. Hindi lang pag-aari ng isang tao ang mga equipment na gagamitin sa kanilang maintenance, pag-aari na ni cooperative," Mendoza said.

[In the consolidation,  we just changed the management  as part of the  public transport transport modernization  program. Being consolidated,they do not mange individually their units. Of course,  because they are consolidated under the  transport modernization  program, there is what is called  sharing of resources. The equipment  they uses in  their maintenance is not owned by an indivudual , but by the cooperative.]

In the  Cordillera, Mendoza said over 90 percent  of the PUVs have already consolidated as of April 23, 2024. Out of 5,034 authorized units of public utility jeepneys in the region, 93.4 percent or 4,704 units  have consolidated.

For the UV Express, consolidation is  97 percent or 425 out of 427 units. 
 

Mendoza said there are still a few operators who have yet to complete the consolidation process.
 

 "Karamihan naman ay nakapag-consolidate. Yung mga draybers, hindi na sila 'yung boundary system na kada araw ay mayroon sila sinasahod kundi nasa labor laws na sila. Ang sahod nila ay covered by the policy under the DOLE, so mayroon na silang PhilHealth, SSS at iba pang mandatory requirement ng DOLE," he explained.

[Majority  have already consolidated. The drivers are no longer restricted  by the boundary system. They are now covered by labor laws. Their wage is covered by the policy under  the DOLE so they have  PhilHealth, SSS and other mandatory requirements of DOLE.] 

Meanwhile, consolidated PUVs can continue to operate with financial assistance provided for the acquisition of new units or through the Equity Subsidy program, offering a subsidy of P260,000.
 
The Irisan Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association in Baguio City has 100 percent consolidation. However, they appealed for an increased subsidy from the government.
 
"Hinaing po ng bawat cooperative na mas taasan po ang government subsidy for the modernization program kasi iyong mga manufacturer, every year ay itinataas din po ang presyo kaya doon po kami nahihirapan," association president Anert Bangsail echoed.
 
Consolidation involves significant management changes, transitioning from individual unit management to cooperative management, allowing for resource sharing among operators. This is  part of the Public Utility Transport Modernization Program aimed at addressing transportation challenges and ensuring the country's readiness for future transport needs. (JDP/DEG-PIA with with Novelyn Metua, BSU Intern)