Pimentel calls for indefinite suspension of PUV modernization program

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday called for an indefinite suspension of the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) and asked the Marcos administration to study it further.

“Pag-aralan nila ito. Programa ito ng Duterte administration e. Itutuloy ng Marcos administration. Are they sure? Naaral na ba nila ito nang mabuti? Because they are the ones to blame dito,” Pimentel said in a virtual interview with reporters.

(If they can suspend it indefinitely, that’s better. They should study this. This is a program of the Duterte administration and this will be continued by the Marcos administration. Are they sure? Have they studied this thoroughly? Because they are the ones that will be blamed for this program.)

“Step on the brakes. I-defer na muna ulit ang mga deadlines nila, six months to one year... Tapos pag-aralan din nila in the meantime na suspended ito, do they still encourage na mag-form sila ng cooperatives. Pero kung di matuloy ang programang ito, may purpose pa ba yung cooperatives,” he added.

(Step on the brakes. Defer the deadlines, maybe six months to one year. During the suspension. They should also study the need for cooperatives if they want to pursue this. If they won’t push for the PUVMP, then they should assess the purpose of the cooperatives.)

Pimentel said he is against the PUVMP as the project starts with jeepney drivers and operators taking a loan to modernize their vehicles.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

“Gastos na kaagad. Utang na kaagad. There must be a way to pay the debts, parang seven years yata yung plano nila.... Therefore, the income or the cash flow must be more than the principal plus interest plus the living expenses of our jeepney drivers and operators,” he said.

(This program will require a loan. They must find a way to pay the debts for the entire seven years.)

For now, Pimentel said there is no need for a modernization program, adding that “there will not be peace and harmony” in the transport sector.

He further warned that there might be a shortage in PUVs that will affect the riding public should they push for the modernization program.

“Ang aking point lang, huwag pipilitin. Hindi pa hinog tapos pipilitin ninyo, eh paano nila mababayaran yung utang?” he said.

(My point is, let’s not force what is not fit. This program is still not ripe. How will they pay for their debts?)

Wait for SC's decision 

Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares also echoed Pimentel's call as he asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the PUVMP while the petition seeking to stop its implementation is pending before the Supreme Court.

Colmenares said continuing the cancellation of franchises following the December 31 deadline for PUVs may cause irreparable injury to the drivers and commuters.

“Hintayin niyo na kaya muna kaysa kanselahin niyo ngayon. Eh, kung nanalo ang mga tsuper at commuter sa Korte Suprema, hindi niyo na mabalik ang nakalipas,” he said in an interview.

(Let’s just wait for it before you cancel the franchises. If the drivers and commuters win before the Supreme Court, you will no longer be able to bring back what was lost.) 

Colmenares is among the those who filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the implementation of the PUVMP.

Meanwhile, asked about their next step, Colmenares said they may file another petition before the Court.

“In fact, ‘yan ang isang posibleng i-file ng mga petitioner ay motion for a status quo ante order reiterating to the court na ibalik muna sa dati,” he said.

(In fact, a motion for a status quo ante order is something the petitioners may file, reiterating to the Supreme Court to return things to the previous status quo.)

Started in 2017, the PUV Modernization Program aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office (LTO). —with Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News