By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the lapse of December 31, 2023 deadline, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday lamented that only 40% of jeepneys in the National Capital Region (NCR) have consolidated for the PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) Modernization Program.
In a television interview, DOTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will come up with the final count in a few days.
“Nationwide, nandoon tayo sa 70% more or less. Ngunit dito sa Metro Manila or NCR talagang maraming humabol at siguro as of now aabot tayo ng 40%,” Ortega revealed in an interview on GMA 7’s Unang Balita.
He said those who failed to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate starting Monday, January 1, 2024, especially in routes where 60% of PUVs had applications.
Earlier, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos slammed the policy of compelling jeepney drivers to consolidate into cooperatives or join transport corporations.
She noted that the modern jeepney with Euro 4-compliant engine is “too expensive” at P2.5 million per unit for the ordinary jeepney driver, who also has to deal with soaring gas prices.
“Sino bang may ayaw ng bagong sasakyan? Pero sino naman, sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, ang may pambayad?” Senator Imee asked.
On the other hand, transport group Piston on Sunday, December 31, expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. would recall the Dec. 31 deadline for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to consolidate despite the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiteration that there will be no more extension.
LTFRB officials, however, see no transport crisis after the lapse of PUV consolidation deadline.
(IAmigo/.MNM)