Allowing unconsolidated jeepneys to operate 'a step in the right direction' — Poe

Senator Grace Poe expressed support Tuesday to the Department of Transportation’s decision allowing unconsolidated traditional jeepneys to operate amid the series of protests staged by operators and drivers.

“The announcement of the DOTr chief that unconsolidated jeepneys will be allowed on the roads anew is a step in the right direction,” Poe, who previously led the Senate’s review of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), said in a statement.

“Untangling the messy modernization program will have to begin with the recognition of our drivers' right to earn a decent living and to be involved in meaningful opportunities for growth,” she added.

The vice chairperson of the Senate public services committee also asked the Department of Transportation and other relevant agencies to “make it easy” for jeepney drivers and operators to secure their franchises anew.

Following such development, Poe raised that the route plans should be ready to ensure that all roads will have available transportation for our commuters.

“We all want a transport system that is dignified, safe and at par with global standards. Those on the driver's seat must steer the modernization program in the right direction,” she ended.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon committed to allow operators of traditional jeepneys who failed to consolidate under the PTMP to renew their franchises.

Dizon made the assurance to Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) on Monday as they protested outside of the DOTr’s office in San Juan CIty.

The protest was staged two weeks after Dizon committed to study if traditional jeepneys could still renew their franchise.

During the dialogue, PISTON asked the DOTr chief to ensure that they would not need to go through the “eye of the needle” in renewing their franchise.

In response, Dizon assured that “it won’t happen.”

Launched in 2017, the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP)—formerly the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP)—sought to phase out old jeepneys and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles to reduce pollution.

It also mandated the consolidation of individual franchises into cooperatives or corporations as a requisite to operate.

The PUV modernization program has been marred by chronic delays since its introduction, mainly because of the high prices of modern jeepneys priced at P1.7 million to P3.3 million per unit that the operators and driver cannot afford and the lack of route plans which is the responsibility of the local government units. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News