Senators are hoping that the challenges being faced by drivers under the franchise consolidation of the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) have been addressed.

This, as the solons noted the impending deadline of the consolidation on April 30.

"We acknowledge the April 30 deadline set for the PUV consolidation. But we want to know how productive the three-month extension has been," said Senator Grace Poe.

"Have there been fruitful dialogues between the LTFRB and transport groups? Were there substantial efforts to reach out to the drivers and operators to help them get into the program?" she asked.

The senator also wanted to know if the apprehensions about the loans and other financial aspects of the program have been eased. 

"We hope that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will release ahead of the deadline the list of routes with and without consolidated jeepneys," she said.

She added that commuters can't be left scampering for rides, especially under the extreme heat.

"With the nearing implementation, we also look forward to the final verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) on the appeal of transport groups. This will help enlighten concerned agencies on the path to take on the so-called modernization of our PUV fleets," she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos expressed gratitude to his brother, President Marcos, for holding the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Concerns in San Juan City on Wednesday, April 10.

However, she stated that there still should be an overall discussion and consultation with all stakeholders of modernization program.

Senator Marcos believes that the PUVMP keeps getting postponed because the issues of the transport sector such as funding for the modern jeepneys and the membership requirement of transport cooperatives are not being fully addressed.

"So maraming issues doon kinakailangan kausapin natin talaga lahat pati yung mga pasahero, yung mga estudyante, yung mga konsyumer na talagang umaasa dyan (There are a lot of issues and we really need to speak to the riding public, students, and consumers who rely on this)," she said.

The President said that that the April 30 deadline will no longer be extended. He approved an extension last January to provide an opportunity to drivers who wanted to join the consolidation.