DOTr says it has no allocation for PUV modernization program under 2023 budget

The Department of Transportation (DOTr)'s P167-billion proposed budget for 2023 has zero allocation for the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

DOTr Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor made the response on Tuesday when asked by Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel if the DOTr indeed allocated P4.2 billion for the PUV modernization program for 2023.

"For 2023, our proposal [for PUV modernization'] was P778 million but it was not included in the National Expenditure Program [by the Department of Budget and Management]," Pastor said.

Manuel was surprised and asked if this really means zero budget for PUV modernization even if the DOTr eyes increasing the 5,300 modern PUVs plying the roads right now by 50% next year.

"Wala pala...Ibig sabihin po ba walang pondo for 2023 para sa pagtulong sa mga drivers na mag-modernize ng kanilang mga jeep?" Manuel said.

(So there is none...Does that mean there is zero budget for 2023 for drivers seeking to purchase a modern jeepney?)

Pastor responded, "Tama po [iyon], Madam Chair," addressing Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

(That would be right, Madam Chair.)

Manuel was baffled and urged Congress to allot funding for the PUV modernization program.

"We should look for ways to fund this. Nakakagulat na wala pala [itong pondo]. Maraming jeepney drivers na kahit gusto pa naman pumasada ay tumigil na kasi nga iyong pagpapatuloy pa lang sa pagbiyahe using traditional jeepneys ay mahirap na," Manuel said.

(This is baffling. A lot of drivers want to ply the roads but stopped because it has been already very difficult to continue plying roads with traditional jeepneys.)

"Paano pa kaya kung meron tayong mode na mag-shift sila sa modern jeepneys?" Manuel added.

(How much tougher would it be if we would ask them to shift to modern PUVs?)

The PUV program provides P160,000 equity subsidy for each driver who seeks to shift to a modern PUV unit, on top of the value of the old PUV.

A modern PUV unit, however, costs at least P1.2 million.

Public transportation has been reduced to a minimum capacity since COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020 to prevent virus transmission.

The operational capacity for PUVs has been increased gradually, but the rising prices of fuel also affected the number of PUVs plying the roads. —KG, GMA News