THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) stood firm on the December 31, 2023 deadline for the consolidation of Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers into cooperatives and corporations.
In a radio interview Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista maintained that consolidation of PUVs will ensure effective and sustainable operations.
“Yung consolidation gagawin natin yan sa December 31 para mas maging efficient ang operations ng transport sector. Kasi kung mag-ooperate tayo individually, hindi masyadong magiging sustainable [ang operations],” Sec. Bautista said over Radyo Singko.
The transport chief said a “just transition” will be observed during the program implementation, allaying fears of jeepney phase out.
“Meron tayong tinatawag na just transition. Kasi kung gusto nila ay ibigay natin bago tayo magsimula [ng PUVMP], siguro hindi natin masisimulan ito,” he said.
He added that roadworthy jeepneys will still be allowed to ply their routes.
The Secretary pointed out that transport cooperatives who joined the program have personally experienced the promised program benefits, including efficiency of operations and dispatch, sustainable salary for their workers and periodical maintenance of their fleets.
“In fact, yung mga successful operators na nag-consolidate na sinasabi nila na naging efficient ang operations nila, may sarili silang dispatching, meron silang tamang maintenance ng sasakyan, pinapa-sweldo nila ng maayos ang kanilang mga drivers,” said Sec. Bautista.
Despite December 30 (Rizal Day) being a holiday, Sec. Bautista said the offices of the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Office for Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) are open to receive applications.
“Mag-apply na po sila, bukas po ang mga opisina ng LTFRB, Office for Transportation Cooperatives hanggang December 30, kahit bakasyon yan tatanggapin namin ang kanilang application,” he said.
Under the PUV Modernization Program, operators and drivers will be organized into cooperatives or corporations to ensure efficiency of its operations with an upgraded fleet of low-carbon emission, safe and efficient PUV units
