Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday reminded UV Express and multicabs that they are also covered by the June 30 deadline to consolidate as part of the government’s steps to modernize public transportation.
“Even the UV and the multicab or filcab part po s’ya doon sa modernization natin since 2017. Nakalagay naman po iyon sa department order, so it’s part of the MC [Memorandum Circular] that the board issued this month,” LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: Even the UV and the multicab or filcab, they are part of the modernization program since 2017. It is in the department order, so it’s part of the MC that the board issued this month.]
This week, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2023-013 that sets the deadline for public utility vehicles (PUV) to join a consolidated entity until June 30, which is part of the government’s modernization program.
So far, Bolano said 61% of the 158,000 target jeepney units, and 72% out of the 19,000 UV Express units have complied. He did not mention figures for filcabs.
Some groups like Piston have expressed their concern about the move, noting that the time given to comply is not enough.
Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena also told CNN Philippines that the LTFRB needs to better inform industry stakeholders about what the consolidation will mean for them.
Bolano noted that the industry consolidation is only a component of the whole modernization program. Some of its goals are to make operations of PUVs more sustainable, cut down costs, and provide better profits to drivers.
