Sen. Imee Marcos called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to revoke its "deadly deadlines" for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which according to her, has fallen short of compliance since 2017.

In a statement on Thursday, Dec. 28, Marcos said there is a need to return to exhaustive meetings and consultations with all operators, drivers, and commuters.

"A widespread transport strike greets the public on Dec. 29 into the New Year. We can only pity the drivers, transport operators, commuters, workers, students, businesses, and small entrepreneurs who rely on jeeps and PUVs daily," she said.

Under Department Order 2017-011 or the Omnibus Franchising Guideline, transport groups are given until Dec. 31 this year to consolidate to either corporation or cooperative. Those who would not comply with the consolidation would lose their franchise which eventually means they could no longer operate.

"Who doesn't want a new vehicle? But with the high cost of living, how many can afford one?" Marcos said.

She added that the government subsidy of P210,000 to P280,000 is just a fraction of the P2.5-million cost of a new Euro-4 PUV, also mentioning that the trade-in value of old vehicles been determined and that plying transport routes these days only earns a measly income due to the high price of gasoline.

Marcos also stated that dealers of new vehicles, spare parts, and maintenance services are not ready to meet the sudden demand and that TESDA itself admitted that it has only prepared for the repair of Euro-2 PUVs.

"And why should thousands of operators and drivers be forced to become members of transport cooperatives? Having been owners and small entrepreneurs, will they become mere employees in a coop?" Marcos said.

"If an operator or driver takes out a loan, will this be guaranteed by the coop? If loan payments become problematic, will the coop answer for them, or will the bank tow away the vehicle subject to the loan?" she added.

She also mentioned how the high cost of buying a new vehicle, will also be related to an increase in transport fares yet this has not been determined yet.

"Complex as these issues are, we would do well to listen to the grievances of PUV operators, drivers, and commuters. Above all, the LTO and DoTR should quit threatening them with deadlines, suspensions, and franchise revocations," she said.