DOTr to raise subsidy for modern jeepneys to P260K

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday said it will increase the equity subsidy for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to P260,000 to allow them to purchase e-jeepneys for the PUV modernization program.

The program currently provides a 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.

“Dahil patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo, ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga gastusin, itataas din ng Kagawaran ang equity subsidy na tinatawag to a maximum amount of P260,000,” DOTr Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said in GMA News’ Unang Balita interview.

(Since the prices of petroleum products and commodities continue to increase, the Department will also increase the equity subsidy to a maximum amount of P260,000.)

The DOTr aims to launch this increase in subsidy by the second quarter of 2023, he added.

According to Pastor, a class 1 modern jeepney costs from P1.4 million to P1.8 million; a class 2 costsfrom  P2 million to P2.6 million; while a class 3 costs P2.5 million to P3 million.

Several transport groups are currently mounting a week-long strike in opposition to the PUV Modernization Program, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels.

During the first day of the strike on Monday, transport group PISTON called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend the implementation of the guidelines for the program, saying they would stop the strike if the government responds to their concerns.

As compared to Monday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) technical division head Joel Bolano said the situation for the second day of the strike is generally normal.

However, he said the agency is still monitoring the situation and continues to provide free rides in Malabon, Navotas, Novaliches, Pasay, and Cubao going to Manila, as these areas became “critical” for passengers on Monday.

“Doon sa monitoring ng aming personnel na nasa Metro Base ng MMDA at ‘yung mga team namin… so far, walang naka-report na stranded,” Bolano said in a separate Unang Balita interview.

(There are no passengers stranded, based on the monitoring of our personnel from our team and from MMDA Metro Base.)

The LTFRB extended the June 30 deadline for jeepney operators to form cooperatives to December 31, 2023. —KBK, GMA Integrated News