As the validity of the provisional authorities or franchise for traditional jeepneys will last only until March 31, a ranking official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) urged operators and drivers to join the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

In a statement Friday, Feb. 3, lawyer Zona Russet Tamayo, regional director of the LTFRB Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office for the National Capital Region (RFRO-NCR), reminded operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys about the numerous benefits that they will receive should they decide to take part in the modernization program.

Tamayo noted that operators and drivers have the choice to create or join transport cooperatives to help them gain access to various benefits offered by the PUVMP.

“Sa ilalim ng PUV modernization program, mawawala na iyong tinatawag na ‘boundary’ system. Sa halip, ang mga operator o tsuper ay mabibigyan ng sahod at maging ng mga benepisyo na mula sa gobyerno, katulad ng isang regular na manggagawa (Under the PUV modernization program, the so-called ‘boundary’ system will vanish. Instead, operators and drivers will be given salaries and benefits from the government, just like a regular employee),” said Tamayo.

She added that because the program is consolidated, it will be easier for operators and drivers to learn about the policies and programs of the government that are meant to improve their lives.

“Mas magiging madali na rin para sa gobyerno na maipaabot ang iba’t ibang tulong tulad ng subsidiya na ibinibigay ng gobyerno para sa sektor ng transportasyon (It will also be easier for the government to send various assistance such as subsidies that the government provides to the transportation sector),” she continued.

In relation to this, Taguig Transport Service Cooperative head Freddie Hernandez said joining the PUVMP, particularly through a cooperative, would help to lessen the expenses of both operators and drivers.

“Kabilang dito ang mga gastusin nila sa produktong petrolyo, maintenance, at iba pa na maaaring sagutin na ng cooperative para mabawasan ang problema nila (This includes their expenses for petroleum products, maintenance, and others that can be covered by the cooperative to reduce their problems),” he said.

In 2017, the PUVMP began in a bid to address current and future transportation issues throughout the country by replacing traditional jeepneys with eco-friendly vehicles.

Several transportation organizations have recently petitioned to extend the franchise of traditional jeepneys beyond March 31, or until April 30 in the National Capital Region (NCR). The LTFRB will decide whether or not the franchises of traditional jeepneys will be extended after the said period.

Among the challenges faced by operators and drivers in the PUVMP is the expensive cost of modern jeepneys which could reach around P2.2 million to P2.4 million, according to the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).