By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Like a roaring jeepney, transport group Piston on Sunday 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.
This developed as DOTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) chairman Andy Ortega clarified that the new memo was not an extension of the Dec. 31 consolidation deadline.
“During that period sila ay bibigyan ng due process para mag-show cause para malaman ano nangyari, then magkakadesisyon ang LTFRB,” Ortega said.
Last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a memorandum saying traditional jeepneys that fail to consolidate their franchises will still be allowed until Jan. 31, 2024, to ply routes where less than 60 percent of units are consolidated.
Ortega also reported that almost all jeepneys in “major routes” in Metro Manila have already consolidated.
“Yung mga major na ruta sa Metro Manila, yung mga mahahaba 15 to 20 kilometers eh almost all consolidated na yun. Yung mga hindi nagco-consolidate ito yung mga minor route,” the DOTr official said.
(IAmigo/MNM)