Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — Unconsolidated jeepney drivers may still keep their jobs as public utility vehicle (PUV) cooperatives have expressed openness to hiring them, a transport official said.

“‘Yung mga drivers ng operators, silaý hindi mawawalan ng trabaho,” said Andy Ortega, head of the Office of Transport Cooperatives. “Sila (PUV cooperatives) ay tatangap ng drivers doon sa mga operators na hindi nag consolidate.”

[Translation: The drivers of operators will not lose their jobs. The PUV cooperatives will accept the drivers of unconsolidated operators.]

There are over 1,700 cooperatives nationwide, according to Ortega.

“It will be that the drivers will become members of the cooperative and they will continue to be drivers [of the operators],” Ortega said. “‘Yun yung assurance ng ating cooperatives that they will hire, get and help the drivers doon sa mga operators na hindi nag consolidate.”

[Translation: That’s the assurance of our cooperatives that they will hire, get and help the drivers of uncosolidated operators.]

As of Jan.4, The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) logged 111,581 consolidated PUVs in the country. This is equivalent to 73.96% of all authorized units nationwide.

In Metro Manila, the LTFRB recorded 21,655 consolidated PUVs. That is equivalent to 51.34% of all of its authorized units.

The registration for consolidation under the government’s PUV modernization program ended on Dec. 31. 2023.

PUV operators in routes with no consolidated transport entities will be allowed to ply roads until Jan. 31.