Marcos extends PUV franchise consolidation to April 30
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the consolidation deadline for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to April 30 amid calls from lawmakers and transport groups to review the PUV modernization program.
In a statement Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos approved the recommendation of Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista to add three months to the deadline, which lapsed last Dec. 31, 2023.
"This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cutoff," the PCO said.
The move was a shift from Marcos' firm announcement last year that the government would not extend the deadline for operators to join or form cooperatives and corporations. He said they "cannot let the minority cause further delays" in the program implementation as it would affect stakeholders.
Transport group PISTON said it was a "partial victory" as "our relentless collective action and determination to defend our public transport has compelled the Marcos regime" to extend the consolidation deadline.
"However, a deadline extension is not enough. PISTON will continue mobilizing until the corporate-driven PUV modernization program is repealed and until a progressive public mass transport system is in place," PISTON national president Mody Floranda said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would adhere to the directive and encouraged operators and drivers to "take advantage of this opportunity."
In December 2023, the LTFRB issued a memorandum circular to revoke the permits of unconsolidated PUV operators by Jan. 1. Another circular also set conditions for them to ply select roads until end-January, after which they would be considered "colorum."
Transport authorities said that after the Dec. 31 deadline, a total of 145,721 PUVs or 76% of PUVs nationwide have either consolidated or applied for consolidation.
But according to the LTFRB's list of routes, more than 300 jeepney routes in Metro Manila alone remain without consolidated entities, while the count is at more than 70 routes for UV Express.
House moves
Before the announcement of the extension, Speaker Martin Romualdez told drivers and operators in a 5 p.m. meeting at the House of Representatives that he would relay their concerns to Malacañang, as he is also in favor of extending the franchise consolidation deadline.
Romualdez said amid modernization, the jeepney's iconic image must be preserved and that support must be given to local manufacturers. He also assured the groups present of government support as the sector continues to face challenges.
"Sigurado ako na hindi ito ang gusto ng ating mahal na president na mahirapan kayo," he said.
[Translation: I'm sure that the president does not want you all to face difficulties.]
Earlier in the day, the House Committee on Transportation approved a resolution urging the chief executive to "extend" the consolidation period "until the government comes up with a concrete plan to address major issues" in the government's modernization plan.
During the meeting with House leaders, Floranda said they want the program scrapped and recommended instead vehicle rehabilitation and national industrialization to fix problems in the country's public transport system.
"Sana masusing pag-aralan ni Pangulong BBM. Sabi niya nung panahon ng eleksyon hindi iiwan ang sektor ng public transport, kasama niya sa pag-angat," Floranda said.
[Translation: We hope Marcos thoroughly studies the matter. He promised during the elections that he would not leave the public transport sector behind, and that it would be part of his success.]
