The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has relaxed its stringent requirements for the consolidation of transport operators and drivers as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.
During a recent meeting, the LTFRB and the transport group PISTON reached an agreement to reduce the consolidation criteria.
Transportation Undersecretary and Spokesperson Timothy John Batan said unconsolidated operators only need to submit only three documents: the latest official receipt and certificate of registration of their vehicle, the registration document of the cooperative they intend to join or establish, and an attestation confirming their participation in that cooperative.
“Sa ngayon po ang kailangan na lang isumite ng unconsolidated operators ay tatlong dokumento na lang po. Ang latest na OR-CR ng kanilang saakyan, ang registration document ng kooperatiba na kanilang sasaniban o bubuuin, at ang attestation na sila ay sasali sa kooperatibe na ‘yun (For now, unconsolidated operators only need to submit three documents. The latest OR-CR of their vehicle, the registration document of the cooperative they will join or form, and the attestation that they will join that cooperative),” he stated.
To accommodate operators rushing to meet this deadline, the agency official said both the LTFRB and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) have extended their office hours.
He stressed that the deadline for consolidation remains Dec. 31, as announced by President Marcos earlier in the week.
In their meeting, Batan stated that the LTFRB and PISTON clarified that high-passenger-volume routes will permit at least two to three transport cooperatives.
As such, he noted that the LTFRB issued a Memorandum Circular, absolving penalties for those who failed to meet requirements between 2020 and 2022. The minimum number of units required for consolidation has been reduced from 15 to 10.
Amid concerns about a potential transport crisis post-deadline, Batan reassured the public that the actual modernization of jeepney units will take place two to three years after consolidation.
He added that the LTFRB has devised mechanisms, such as issuing special permits to consolidated operators, to ensure uninterrupted transportation services starting Jan. 1.