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Transport groups: Jeepneys impounded, transactions delayed despite consolidation extension

Article (news)

VIVIENNE GULLA

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Jeepney operators who missed the December 2023 franchise consolidation deadline for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) are having a hard time renewing their vehicle registration, some transport groups claimed Wednesday.</p><div><br/></div><p>This, despite an extension of the consolidation deadline to April 30.</p><div> </div><p>During an inquiry of the House Committee on Transportation, transport group Manibela said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has not issued confirmations for some jeepney units.</p><div><br/></div><p>Without the confirmation, the jeepney operators cannot renew their units&#x27; motor vehicle registrations. </p><div><br/></div><p>Transport group Piston also complained of some unconsolidated jeepneys being apprehended.</p><div><br/></div><p>Piston national president Mody Floranda told the panel he personally saw a member apprehended by the Land Transportation Office and told to produce an extension of the Provisional Authority to operate and the Certificate of Registration for his unit. </p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Ang sabi natin, hindi ba kayo na-orient na mayroong extension ng tatlong buwan ‘yung PA, at mayroon ding extension… kung kami ang titingin ay automatic na tatlong buwan ding extension ang aming mga rehistro,” Floranda said.</p><div><br/></div><p>Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena added at least 10 jeepneys of the group&#x27;s members have been impounded for not having a consolidation certificate.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Hindi ka bibigyan ng insurance ngayon kasi hindi ka consolidated. At kapag nag-register ka naman…nag-log in, kukuha ng confirmation, declined kasi hindi siya naka-consolidate,” Valbuena added.</p><div> </div><p>“Ang tagal lumabas ng confirmation. Sana inyong tulinan. Kasi baka bago lumabas ng confirmation, Mayo na. ‘Yung nanghuhuli… sinasabi hindi ka makaka-rehistro, hindi ka naka-consolidate,” jeepney operator Lito Andal also said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LTO: NO BASIS TO APPREHEND &#x27;UNCONSOLIDATED&#x27; JEEPNEYS</strong></div><div> </div><p>But the Land Transportation Office asserted failure to consolidate should not yet be a ground for apprehending jeepney and UV Express units, at least in the next 3 months.</p><div> </div><p>The LTFRB, for its part, said that pursuant to the President’s order to extend the PUV consolidation deadline to April 30, an affidavit of undertaking or an application for consolidation is not a requirement to get the agency’s confirmation within this period.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;Kaya pinapa-identify ko po sana kung ano ang plate number ng mga inimpound at hinuli dahil lang hindi nag-consolidate, kasi hindi dapat &#x27;yun nangyari,” LTFRB Board Member Mercy Leynes said.</p><div> </div><p>“ If there has been any anomaly in this apprehension, we will sanction the proper enforcers on this, kung ‘yun ang naging dahilan ng apprehension,” LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza also told the panel.</p><div> </div><p>The Department of Transportation targets to increase the percentage of consolidated PUVs to 85 percent by the end of April from the current 76 percent.</p><div> </div><div><strong>OPTIONAL CONSOLIDATION?</strong></div><div> </div><p>For some congressmen, what the PUV Modernization Program needs is not an extended deadline for consolidation, but further review.</p><div> </div><p>Several lawmakers called to make the industry consolidation requirement under the PUVMP “optional”, with at least three congressmen raising legal and constitutional questions over the mandate for jeepney operators to consolidate.</p><div> </div><p>Under the program, operators are required to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations, which will facilitate the modernization of their fleet and the operation of units in a systematic and predictable manner.</p><div> </div><p>“Kung mayroon akong prangkisa, bakit ko ibibigay sa kumpanya, e akin yan. Yan ang nasa isip ng ordinaryong driver,” Rizal 3rd District Rep. Jose Arturo Garcia said.</p><div> </div><p>“Voluntary pa ba ang ginagawa ng ating drivers and operators?...Ginagamit ninyo ang power and authority ninyo to oblige them to join... ‘Pag ba hindi nag-cooperate sa inyo, bibigyan n’yo ng [Certificate of Public Convenience]? Hindi ba hindi? ‘Di ba hindi sila makaka-renew?” 1-RIDER Party List Rep. Bonifacio Bosita asked the LTFRB.</p><div> </div><p>“Malaya silang pumili kung sino ang makakasama nila to voluntarily join together,” Leynes replied.</p><div> </div><p>“You are using the police power of the state to coerce these individual franchise holders to join cooperatives… in giving them deadlines to consolidate, are you not violating their right also?” Antipolo City 2nd District Romeo Acop, committee chair, noted.</p><div> </div><p>“The certificates of public convenience issued by the state through the LTFRB is a franchise and not a right… hence, subject to the exercise of the police power of the state. The LTFRB in our opinion has complied with both aspects of due process. So that anyone can be deprived of such franchise,” Leynes said.</p><div> </div><p>“Labag sa Constitution na ipilit ang isang tao na jumoin sa organisasyon,” ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro stressed.</p><div> </div><p>Acop proposed to consolidate the operation of jeepney and UV express units, instead of their ownership.</p><div> </div><p>“Mali ang consolidation na ginagawa ninyo. You consolidate the operations of the jeepneys, and therein will come ‘yung route rationalization… Malaman nyo rin kung ilan ang vehicles sa isang ruta na kikita ang driver. Sa ngayon wala nga kayong study na ganoon na maipakita sa amin eh,” he said.</p><div> </div><p>Leynes said the project steering committee will discuss this suggestion.</p><div> </div><p>The panel will schedule another hearing next week.</p><div><br/></div>

<p>Jeepney units that failed to consolidate in compliance with the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) faced difficulties in renewing their registration despite the extended consolidation deadline, some transport groups claimed on Wednesday.</p>

Jeepney units that failed to consolidate in compliance with the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) faced difficulties in renewing their registration despite the extended consolidation deadline, some transport groups claimed on Wednesday.