By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Claiming that their modern jeepneys are cheaper compared to those that are China-made, E-Francisco Motors Corporation on Friday revealed that they are trying to convince Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to invest $200 million or roughly P11 billion into their company to speed up the completion of the PUV Modernization Program.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elmer Francisco bared that he met with Maharlika officials for the second time Thursday (January 11) in a bid to secure funding from the MIC, management of the country’s first sovereign wealth fund.

“Ang proposal natin, if they can infuse an investment of $200 million… That’s about P11 billion,” Francisco said.

He added that an investment from MIC would allow them to produce more electric jeepneys, speeding up the completion of the PUV modernization program.

“Ang mangyayari diyan makakababa kasi yan ng cost kasi unlike sa DOTr [Department of Transportation] na subsidy, it’s a dole out. Pero yung sa Maharlika is a fixed investment and it would expect a return and that will benefit the Filipinos,” Francisco explained.

He said their company has been producing jeepneys for 77 years and before the creation of MIC, they had already reached out to the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to seek funding but they were only “ignored.”

Francisco proudly claimed that E-Francisco Motors is selling their modern jeepneys for P985,000 “unlike the P3 million sold by China.”

(ai/MNNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on late Thursday (04 Jan 2024) afternoon brushed off apprehension of an impending fare hike due to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa earlier said fares could hit P45 to P50 in a few years, as transport corporations and cooperatives would need to make enough money to pay off loans for modern jeepney units and other expenses under the government’s PUV Modernization Program.

“Una po sa lahat, wala pong taas-pasahe na mangyayari na hindi po dumadaan sa proseso ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan clarified.

Aside from the IBON Foundation, a commuters’ group on Wednesday (January 3), also earned a possible P50 minimum fare following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The minimum jeepney fare is currently at P13.

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport (AIT) Convenor Edrich Samonte said.

But the DOTr junked all those fears and speculations.

“At ito pong pag-implementa ng ating consolidation deadline ay hindi po inaasahan na magkakaroon ng kaakibat na taas-pasahe ngayon pong panahon na ito,” Batan maintained.

(El Amigo/MNM)

On Friday, December 19, 2023, the combined forces of the Piston Southern Tagalog and Manibela transport groups took to the streets in a vigorous protest against the Government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program and the impending franchise consideration deadline set for Sunday, December 31, 2023.

Led by Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena, the united front gathered at Welcome Rotonda and embarked on a march towards Lacson Street, concluding their powerful demonstration at Mendiola. The protestors expressed staunch opposition to the recent decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which permits PUV operators who have not yet submitted their applications to continue their operations until the end of January 2024.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The protesting groups in the transport sector have found a passionate ally in presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos who lambasted the December 31 deadline this year for the public utility vehicles (PUVs) to get consolidated and to join transport cooperatives or corporations.

“Malawakang transport strike ang babati sa taumbayan mula ika-29 ng Disyembre hanggang sa pagpasok ng bagong taon. Maawa tayo sa mga tsuper at operator, sa mga commuter, trabahador, at estudyante, sa negosyo, at maliliit na negosyanteng umaasa sa jeep at PUV,” she lamented.

At the same time, Sen. Imee 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?” the lady senator from Ilocos Norte asked.

Senator Imee pointed out that the government subsidy for affected drivers at P210,000 to P280,000 is “just a fraction” of the P2.5 million cost of the modern jeepney.

On Thursday (December 28), Sen. Marcos said she also worries for the commuting public whose holidays were spoiled by the strike waged by drivers who opposed the traditional jeepney phase-out.

She questioned why drivers and operators are compelled to consolidate into cooperatives.

“At bakit nga ba pipilitin ang libu-libong operator at drayber na mag-myembro ng transport coop? Kung ngayon may-ari at maliit na negosyante ang turing sa kanila, sa ilalim ng coop magiging hamak na empleyado na lang ba sila?” she asked.

The presidential sister also expressed apprehension that the use of modern jeepneys would eventually increase the transport fare.

“Sa laki ng gagastusin para bumili ng bagong sasakyan, magkano naman ang itataas ng pamasahe?” she asked.

(IAmigo/MNM)

Today (Tuesday, 12 Dec 2023) in Mendiola, Manila, several transport cooperatives gathered for a powerful protest in full endorsement of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization initiative. Firmly expressing their opposition to any deadline extensions on PUV consolidation, the United Front made their stance crystal clear on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has confirmed that the deadline for the consolidation of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) stands firm and will conclude on December 31, 2023. This unwavering decision aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing the PUV modernization program.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

Members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) gathered at Monumento Circle on Monday, November 20, 2023, vehemently opposing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) implemented by the Marcos administration, with the impending deadline set for December 31, 2023.

The 3-day strike, commencing today, Monday, 20 November 2023, has seen participation from less than 60% of the traditional transport group.

This stark representation (featured images) underscores the widespread discontent among jeepney units and operators regarding the government’s push for the consolidation of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)