PUV modernization will be 'just, humane' —LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday vowed it will implement a ‘just and humane transition’ of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

At a public briefing on Tuesday, LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano said the results of the agency's three-day consultation with various stakeholders were positive even as they gathered enough feedback to provide an assessment on the program’s existing policies.

“Sa consultation na ito, kabilang sa pinagusapan ‘yung pagbibigay ng just and humane transition ng pag-implement ng programa. Kasama na rin po ‘yung polisiya sa distance policy ng ating mga ruta at ‘yung ating pagpapalawig ng mga luma papunta sa mga bagong units natin,” Bolano said.

(In this consultation, one of the things we discussed was the provision of a just and humane transition of implementing the program. The policy will also include the distance policy of our routes and how we will extend the modernization of old vehicles to new units.)

“Hindi na po tulad ng dating policy natin (This is no longer like our old policy),” Balano assured the stakeholders as the department also added new policies under the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).

“Parte rin po (ng konsultasyon) ang pag-implementa o paggawa ng LPTRP. Gusto ng LTFRB na patatagin ‘yung tinatawag na ownership ng mga LGUs sa mga pagpaplano ng kanilang ruta, kaya sa konsultation pinresenta natin yung pagbabago sa proseso ‘yung pag-gawa at pag-apruba ng LPTRP mismo para masigurado na lahat ng stakeholders, lahat ng mga involved doon sa programa, within the jurisdiction of the LGU ay kasama,” Balano explained.

(The implementation or the creation of the LPTRP is also part of the consultation. The LTFRB wants to strengthen the LGU’s ownership of route planning. During the consultation we presented the changes in the process of creating and approving the LPTRP itself to ensure that all stakeholders, all those involved in the program, within the jurisdiction of the LGU are included.)

Bolano also mentioned that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) proposed P1.6 billion for the augmentation of the PUVMP to include an equity subsidy for support programs and route rationalization.

On Monday, LTFRB announced that the year-end deadline for the formation of jeepney driver cooperatives or corporations as part of the PUVMP will push through on December 31 despite the recent controversies.

DOTr maintained that traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) would not be phased out as long as the units were compliant with the euro engine standard and those set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards of Department of Trade Industry.—RF/GMA Integrated News