Senatorial aspirant and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Sunday urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to reconsider its plan to implement the phaseout of traditional jeepneys as this would be another burden to Filipinos during this pandemic.

Escudero noted that the planned April 2022 phaseout of these jeepneys was already announced by an LTFRB official in Central Visayas.

But the drive could only drive up unemployment and also cause public transport shortage in many regions.

Escudero lamented jeepney drivers and operators were not given ample time to prepare for the modernization program, noting the high cost it entails to modernize their units.

"Who doesn't want to modernize and fix the public transportation?...However, a modernized jeepney is so costly,” said Escudero, who is seeking a Senate comeback.

If the government insists on pushing through with the jeepney modernization program, the former senator warned this could lessen the number of public transport options that would be available to the commuting public and derail the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There would be less public transport vehicles that would be available to our workers and even students once schools reopen for the face-to-face classes," he pointed out.

The Duterte administration's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a flagship program “which envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector.”

Passed in into law in 2017, it requires massive fleet modernization and disallows the registration or operation of jeepneys that are at least 15 years old.

Under the program, only jeepneys with engines that are Euro-4 compliant, LPG-powered, electronic or hybrid will be given a franchise to operate.

But against this backdrop, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the average price of modernized vehicles has gone up significantly, from P1.6-million per unit to P2.4-million.

This compelled the government to increase its equity subsidy to PUV operators from P80,000 to P160,000 per unit that will be registered under the PUVMP.

Escudero warned the LTFRB would face strong opposition if it insists on pushing through with the program in April.

“Who can afford to shell out money and pay for something so expensive during this time of a pandemic? Shouldn't we be thinking of how to help each other overcome the difficulties during this time?

"If they insist on implementing the jeepney modernization this April, I'm worried more drivers will lose their livelihood and more Filipinos, more commuters, would suffer with the lack of available public transport. So what is the use or the benefits of this modernization?" he pointed out.

In the case of the province of Sorsogon, Escudero said the provincial board approved and passed a resolution allowing traditional jeeps to continue plying their routes at least until June 30, when a new set of local officials are elected in the province.

"I did not allow the modernization program here in the province of Sorsogon. We will continue to be faithful to our promise to jeepney drivers that they can continue to ply their usual routes ," he said.

He said other PUV operators and drivers should approach their local government officials, especially the governor, to gather support against the phaseout of traditional jeepneys and to allow them to continue operating beyond April.