DOTr must face scrutiny over PUV modernization impact -Poe

Senator Grace Poe on Saturday said transportation officials should be ready to face “scrutiny” over the impact of the government’s move to modernize jeepneys. 

Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, said she asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to submit comprehensive data on the status and revised timeline of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program and its components. 

The senator also sought for updated statistics on consolidated jeepneys; and the number of routes being serviced, alternate routes, as well as contingency plans for commuters. 

She also asked the Transportation Department for its plan for the drivers who lost their livelihoods and the status of the implementation of its assistance programs. 

“Sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa mga tsuper, alam naman ninyo na simula pa lang, ‘yung mga sinasabi ko sa DOTr na dapat isumite nila bago nila implementa ‘yung programa, ay gawin nila,” said Poe in a statement. “Kaya lang ang nakakalungkot nito, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nila natutupad.” 

(The public, especially our drivers, are aware that I’ve been telling the DOTr to submit their plans before they implement them. But unfortunately, they have not done that until now.)

The extended deadline for consolidation lapsed last April 30. The DOTr said the franchises of unconsolidated PUV operators and drivers would be revoked “a week or two” after the deadline. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also said that unconsolidated PUVs would be given the chance to explain why they failed to comply with the government deadline. 

The senator urged the LTFRB to set up help desks nationwide to assist drivers and operators affected by the modernization program. 

“Dapat magtayo ng mga help desks ang LTFRB sa mga lugar na maabot nila para doon pwedeng mag-sign up ang ating mga tsuper kung anong pwedeng tulong mula sa gobyerno,” she said. 

(The LTFRB should set up help desks where they can be easily accessed by those affected. From there, our drivers can sign up for whatever assistance the government can provide them.) 

Poe also said she would look into the fund utilization of past training programs for drivers amid reports that millions of funds were unutilized. 

“Kaya ang magagawa namin ngayon ay talagang ipatawag ang DOTr palagi at siguro sa susunod na budget ay pukpukin at talagang singilin sila doon sa mga hindi nila nagawa,” she said. 

(What we can do now is to summon the DOTr and in the next budget hearing, we can check on the things they failed to do.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News