Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said 70% of jeepneys have been consolidated.
“70% of around 200,000 ‘yan eh. So mayroon na tayong mga 140,000 more or less na nag-consolidate na,” DOTr-Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said.
[Translation: That is 70% of the 200,000. We have more or less 140,000 units that have already consolidated.]
The transport official added that they are determined to convince transport groups to join the consolidation.
Ortega also said 50% of the cost of the modern vehicle will be subsidized by the government.
“There will be several changes sa probisyon ng modernization program base sa nationwide na usapan namin with hundreds of transportation leaders,” he said, pertaining to the government subsidy given to drivers.
[Translation: There will be several changes in the provision of the modernization program based on a forum that we conducted with hundreds of transportation leaders.]
The DOTr also clarified that the consolidation deadline on Dec. 31 is final.
READ: LTFRB extends jeepney franchise consolidation until Dec. 31
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2023-013, traditional jeepney drivers and operators are required to join a cooperative or form a corporation before a set deadline to extend the validity of their provisional authority or franchise.
Industry consolidation is the first component of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
The transport agency earlier said jeepneys can still operate beyond the deadline as long as they belong to a cooperative or corporation.
READ: Transport group to stage 3-day strike starting SONA day
