DoTr: PUV modernization to push through on December 31

The year-end deadline for the formation of jeepney driver cooperatives or corporations as part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will push through despite the recent controversies at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Monday.

DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista belied previous accusations the LTFRB was handing out jeepney routes in exchange for bribe money, explaining that local government unit plans were among the factors involved in the granting of routes.

“It’s not for sale because the franchise actually is for free,” said Bautista in Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras”.

Furthermore, traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) would not be phased out as long as the units were compliant with the euro engine standard and the Philippine Standards of the Trade Industry, the DoTr added.

“Kung euro-4 lang ang gusto nila pwede naman po,” a PUJ driver said.

(We can comply if all they want is the Euro-4 standard.)

Meanwhile, Bautista issued a special order dated November 3 reinstating
Teofilo Guadiz III as LTFRB chairperson after Guadiz was cleared of corruption allegations.

In October, Marcos suspended Guadiz amid the allegations.

Guadiz was embroiled in a controversy after his former Executive Assistant, Jeff Tumbado, alleged that there was bribery at the LTFRB.

Tumbado had claimed that bribe money from operators can go as high as P5 million to secure a route, franchise, special permits, or board resolutions.

However, a few weeks after, Tumbado recanted his allegations of corruption.

According to Tumbado, his recantation was a form of apology.

“We have to make a decision but since we need a chairman for LTFRB, kasi daming trabaho nyan eh, that’s the reason why we had to reinstate him (Guadiz),” said Bautista.

(We have to make a decision, but we need a chairman for LTFRB. That’s the reason why we had to reinstate him.)

The National Bureau of Investigation will continue its investigation into the accusations filed against Guadiz.

“Nagsisimula pa lamang po yung hearing, yung investigation, naibalik na po siya. Wala man lang pong paliwanag kung ano talaga yung resulta ng imbestigasyon,” said Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena.

(The investigation is just starting and yet he was reinstated. The results of the investigation were not explained.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to Tumbado for comment, but he declined to issue a statement. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News