Manibela calls on PBBM to suspend PUVMP; group offers free rides during strike

Transport group Manibela on Thursday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to approve the Senate resolution suspending the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In a press conference, Manibela head Mar Valbuena said that the Senate move represents the voice of the Filipino people, including that of jeepney drivers, operators as well as the commuting public.

“Ang boses ng Senado ay ang boses po ng mamamayang Pilipino, boses ng transport sector, boses po ng mga drivers at operators, boses po ng ating mga mahal na mga mananakay. Sa atin pong mahal na Pangulo, sana po mapakinggan niyo ang higit na nakakarami na drivers at operators,” he said.

(The voice of the Senate is the voice of the Filipino people, transport sector, drivers, operators, and our dear commuters. To our dear President, I hope you will listen to the majority of drivers and operators.)

On Wednesday, 22 of the 23 senators signed proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP, now known as the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

In the resolution, the lawmakers cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design "in favor of so-called modern jeepneys," low percentage of approved routes, among others.

Meanwhile, Valbuena said Manibela will offer free rides to commuters who will be affected by the transport strike that will be launched by drivers and operators who complied with the PUVMP.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

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.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program.

Initially, the LTFRB had said that PUVs that did not consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be deemed as “colorum” or a PUV operating without a franchise.

However, LTFRB has allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low number of consolidations.

A total of 36,217 PUVs and 2,445 routes remained unconsolidated as of May, 2024. —RF, GMA Integrated News