President Marcos has approved the recommendation to extend the consolidation period of public utility vehicles (PUVs) until April 30, 2024, Malacañang said.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil made the announcement ahead of the initial deadline for the consolidation on Dec. 31, 2023.

In a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 24, Garafil said the extension gives those who could not meet the deadline enough time to do so.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista's recommendation, granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” she said.

“This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cut-off,” she added.

Marcos’ recent announcement is contrary to his earlier pronouncement that the consolidation period would not be extended, saying that 70 percent of operators have already committed to and begun consolidating under the PUV modernization program.

“We cannot let the minority cause further delays, affecting majority of our operators, banks, financial institutions, and the public at large,” he said.

“Adhering to the current timeline ensures that everyone can reap the benefits of the full operationalization of our modernized public transport system. Hence, the scheduled timeline will not be moved,” he added.

Based on the guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2017, PUV operators and drivers must form transport cooperatives or similar legal entities under the PUV modernization program.

They will be entitled to government subsidies, access to credit facilities, and other assistance to help modernize their vehicles.