LTFRB still bent on jeepney modernization program amid COVID-19 crisis

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said the agency was still bent on implementing the jeepney modernization program even after the COVID-19 pandemic put thousands of traditional jeepney drivers out of work.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Martin Delgra III on Monday said the LTFRB was still pushing for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

In a public briefing, Delgra said the modernization program should continue even during the pandemic, which caused the suspension of the livelihood of public transport drivers and operators.

“Matagal na po ito. Nagsimula po ito three years ago, 2017. At tuloy-tuloy po ito hanggang ngayon,” Delgra said.

“Huwag nating isipin na dahil nga pahirap na ang nangyayari sa ngayon and yet pinipush pa rin natin ‘yung modernization program,” he added.

For him, if the modernization program is disrupted, it would cause more problems on the part of the jeepney drivers and operators.

“Ang binabago natin dito, under the modernization program hindi lang po ‘yung unit na nakikita natin na mausok, bulok, pati na rin ‘yung sistema,” he said.

Delgra said he was referring to the boundary system.

“Huwag natin isipin ‘yung gastos, kung magkano ‘yung presyo ng bagong sasakyan…Ang first component ng modernization ay ‘yung sinasabi nating consolidation,” he said.

Delgra made the statement when asked if there will be jeepney phaseout in the coming months. However, he did not directly address the matter.

Currently, only traditional jeepneys and provincial buses are not yet allowed to operate in compliance to the gradual and calibrated resumption of public transport, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 threat.

The LTFRB has committed to the Department of Transportation to allow the operation of ‘roadworthy’ traditional jeeps on Thursday or Friday.

On Sunday, transport group PISTON lamented the multiple schedule changes in the resumption of the operation of traditional jeeps.

PISTON national president Mody Floranda said around 100,000 of their members were affected by the over three months suspension of jeepney operations.

“Masakit isipin na parang pinaglalaruan ‘yung aming karapatan at yung aming kabuhayan na kung titingnan natin ay halos apat na beses na itong na-postpone batay sa kanilang schedule,” Floranda said.

According to Floranda, they were told that the operation of jeepneys will be allowed on June 15, 18, 22, and 30—which are all postponed.

Floranda said Delgra mentioned in a House committee hearing that jeepney and UV Express operations will resume this next week.

On Saturday, Senator Nancy Binay called on the government to iron out plans for jeepney drivers who might not be able to resume operating with the jeepney modernization program.

"Ang nakakasama pa ng loob imbes na diretsuhin ang mga tsuper kung makakabiyahe," Binay said.

"Dapat meron silang ginagawang paghahanda paano matutulungan ang mga drivers na 'di na nila pababalikin kasi ang sa tingin ko meron talagang 'di makakabalik," she added. -NB, GMA News