Priority lanes set, Saturday operation ordered for processing of PUVMP consolidation requirement
Priority lanes will be open for the remaining drivers and operators who have not yet consolidated into either a corporation or cooperative as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) stood by its decision not to extend the Dec. 31 deadline.
The DOTr’s stand was echoed by President Marcos who said that adhering to the timeline of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will lead to the country reaping the fruits of the transportation modernization.
In a statement released on Thursday, Dec. 14, the DOTr said offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) were instructed to designate personnel that will accommodate consolidation applicants every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the entire month of December.
“In line with the instruction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., there will be no extension of the December 31 deadline for Industry Consolidation,” the statement read.
“The offices of the DOTr, LTFRB, and OTC will remain open and ready to provide assistance to make the process of consolidation fast and comfortable to all drivers and operators under the PUVMP,” it added.
The consolidation is referred to by the DOTR as the initial step in modernizing the PUV fleet in the country.
Currently, the LTFRB said around 70 percent of all PUVs in the country would be consolidated before the Dec. 31 deadline.
The deadline for consolidation is one of the reasons behind the nationwide transport strike of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) from Thursday, Dec. 14 to Friday, Dec. 15.
Although both the DOTr and the LTFRB have committed to extend the franchise of the traditional jeepney beyond the Dec. 31 deadline, they said operators and drivers have to comply with the consolidation process.
The LTFRB earlier said the document that will be provided by the agency will serve as a requirement for the renewal of vehicle registration of traditional jeepneys.
Among the requirements for the consolidation are the latest LTO Official Receipt at Certificate of Registration (OR at CR); SEC Certificate of Registration/Certification (for corporation) or CDA Registration/OTC Certification (for cooperative); and affidavit of conformity that individual operator is willing to join a cooperative or corporation.