Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is confident about the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and not “misinformed” about the plan’s on-the-ground situation, Office of Transport Cooperatives (OTC) chairperson Andy Ortega told reporters on Monday.
In a news conference, Ortega said transport authorities gave updated figures regarding compliance with the program before they met with the president on Dec. 12, 2023. During the meeting, the official claimed Marcos’ demeanor and eyes showed confidence in the program.
“He knows the numbers, he knows about the program. He’s very confident in saying hindi tayo mag-e-extend (ng deadline),” the official said. “He was still saying sa dulo tulungan pa natin ang ating mga drivers, kooperatiba to improve further ‘yung programa.”
“Alam na alam po ng pangulo ang tungkol sa programa,” he added.
[Translation: He knows the numbers, he knows about the program. He’s very confident in saying we will not extend the deadline. He was still saying before the end of the meeting that we should help the drivers and cooperatives to improve further the program. The president knows very well about the program.]
After that meeting, Marcos announced the deadline won’t be extended, adding the government “cannot let the minority cause further delays” in the implementation of the program as it would affect stakeholders.
Days later, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a memorandum circular revoking on Jan. 1 the permits of those who fail to comply with franchise consolidation.
This chain of events prompted transport group PISTON to file a petition asking the Supreme Court to declare the order formalizing the modernization plan and circulars for the consolidation as null and void. The group also sought a temporary restraining order.
PUVs enough in NCR? Unclear
The LTFRB also said it is still looking for funds to continue the route rationalization scheme, which would determine the required number of PUVs for identified routes.
Pending the figures, there is no data to come up with the number of jeepneys to serve the entire Metro Manila.
The LTFRB itself has no clear answer as to whether the jeepneys on National Capital Region (NCR) streets will be enough come Feb. 1.
“Kung sasapat ba, that remains to be seen po as we go along po,” LTFRB-NCR regional director Zona Tamayo said. “But if we will base it in the past, even with the declaration of tigil-pasada, nakita natin na nasagot po ang existing na nagsipagtakbo yung demand po during those period.”
[Translation: If it would be enough, that remains to be seen as we go along. But if we base it in the past, even with the declaration of a strike, we saw that existing units addressed the demand during that period.]
During the news conference, the LTFRB said it had issued permits to over 42,000 jeepneys in Metro Manila but it estimated that by Feb. 1, almost half of the number will be banned on the streets.
RELATED: LTFRB: Unconsolidated jeepneys will be tagged as ‘colorum’ starting February
It said that only 22,284 jeepneys registered with the Land Transportation Office in 2023, and 21,655 units have consolidated.
“Iyon hong hindi nag-consolidate [The unconsolidated] will no longer be allowed to run the routes, except po if as we see, as we analyze po, there might be the need,” Tamayo said.
In case there will be a shortage of jeepneys next month, the LTFRB said it will coordinate with local governments to offer free rides, while special permits will be issued for consolidated units to serve other routes.
CNN Philippines senior correspondent Gerg Cahiles and digital producer Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring contributed to this report.
