DOTr urged to give unconsolidated jeepneys at least a year to keep operating

A lawmaker urged transport authorities on Tuesday to give unconsolidated individual jeepney operators a chance to keep plying their routes until they see the benefits of consolidation, which is required under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

During Tuesday’s House Transportation Committee hearing, Rep. Jojo Garcia of the third district of Rizal said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) should consider granting unconsolidated operators with a one-year provisional authority (PA).

“We need to prove sa mga drivers natin na yung programa ng gobyernong modernization and consolidation is really good for them. But you cannot dictate it to them,” said Garcia.

Garcia said the DOTr already has more than enough numbers to implement the program.

“Konti na lang yan. Sige, mag-isa ka, kung ayaw mo sumunod samin. At the same time, yung mga kasabay niya sa ruta na consolidated, maganda ang benepisyo, may profit-sharing, may sweldo, makikita niya yan eh,” he added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will study Garcia’s suggestion.

“Maganda po yung mungkahi ni Congressman Jojo Garcia. Kasi in some point, tama po siya, we have achieved already the maximum required number ng industry consolidation which is 81.11 percent,” LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III told reporters.

Garcia also asked the DOTr to check whether fleet modernization can indeed be achieved without having to consolidate.

At the same hearing, Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said his group was able to modernize some of their jeepney units for just about P900,000.

That’s cheaper than the P1.6 million to P2.8 million modern jeepney units that transport cooperatives are usually able to acquire.

“Local manufacturer at nagkakahalaga lamang po yung body niya, P700,000. Fully stainless na po ito at fully equipped siya. At yung engine po, nabili lamang namin ng P190,000. Euro 4 (engine) po ito,” shared Valbuena.

Garcia encouraged Manibela to submit a prototype for inspection.

“If those 19% can prove that they can buy their own unit na nasa requirement ng DOTr then maybe we can allow them diba? can I get that commitment?” Garcia asked DOTr Undersecretary Andy Ortega.

“Your honor, yes, we will submit to you the standards as per DTI. Para makita po natin kung talagang nami-meet yung standards,” responded Ortega.

Transport workers hope the DOTr and the LTFRB may take the lawmaker’s suggestions into consideration before they start apprehending unconsolidated jeepneys.

Guadiz said the LTFRB is still in the process of sending out show cause orders to those who failed to consolidate, as part of the due process for the revocation of their franchise.

But once the anti-colorum drive does begin, Guadiz said they will not be announcing it.

"Ayaw po naming sabihin sa ngayon because we would like to catch everybody, at least nandoon sila the time na mag-apprehend kami,” he said.