PUVMP rolls on as SC orders DOTr, LTFRB to comment on petition

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) remains in effect as the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  (LTFRB) to comment on the amended petition filed against the program.

This developed after drivers and operators again trooped to the high court in Ermita, Manila City to call for a TRO against the program, two days before the government starts apprehending colorum or unauthorized PUVs.

In a message to reporters, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said the SC en Banc ordered the respondents to file their comment within 10 days on the petitioner's prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or a writ of preliminary injunction (WPI).

She said the court directed the respondents to specifically comment on the progress of the consolidation, the update regarding the local public transport route plan, and the status of the hearings before the House of Representatives.

Ting stressed that the Court seeking the comment of a party does not mean that a petition for TRO has been denied.

"The Supreme Court's requirement for the Respondent to comment on the prayer for TRO and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction does not mean that the prayer for TRO and/or WPI was denied," she said.

Under the PUVMP, jeepney drivers and operators must join or form cooperatives. They may also apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

The program, which started in 2017, aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that are not roadworthy by the standards of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In December 2023, several individuals filed a petition before the SC asking for a TRO or a  writ of preliminary injunction against issuances related to the PUVMP.

The petitioners filed an amended petition in April to include new issuances on the program.

The petitioners were PISTON chairman Modesto Floranda, Jason Jajilagutan, Para-Advocates For Inclusive Transport member Edric Samonte, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition of Panay member Elmer Forro, and Komyut spokesperson Ma. Flora Cerna. Multi-sectoral group Bayan Muna party-list, represented by coordinator Gaylord Despuez, was also among the petitioners.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the DOTr and LTFRB but they yet to provide a response as of posting time. — VDV, GMA Integrated News