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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Instant response to jeepney drivers' plea proves PBBM is 'very sensitive, attentive'--Romualdez

Instant response to jeepney drivers' plea proves PBBM is 'very sensitive, attentive'--Romualdez

Published Jan 25, 2024 04:51 am

At A Glance

  • President Marcos has proven himself to be a "very sensitive" and "attentive" leader, and one who listens, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

IMG-095bf99138860b757af2d1ee25923395-V.jpgHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Speaker’s office)

President Marcos has proven himself to be a "very sensitive" and "attentive" leader, and one who listens.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez gave this glowing description of Marcos after the latter extended the consolidation deadline in connection with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Nadinig kaagad ‘yung ating hinaing po (Our grievances were instantly heard). President Ferdinand Marcos has just approved the recommendation of the Transportation Secretary [Jaime Bautista] granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, to consolidate public utility vehicles," Romualdez said in a statement on Wednesday night, Jan. 24.

“Kaya po may oras naman tayo, may panahon tayo na mag-consolidate at maghanap tayo ng solusyon. Kaya ‘yun talaga ang sinasabi ng ating mahal Pangulo, na very sensitive, attentive at nakikinig," the House leader said.

(That's why we have more time, we have time to consolidate and look for solutions. That's what has been said by our beloved President, who is very sensitive, attentive, and always listens.)

The deadline for consolidation--a key step toward the modernization of passenger jeepneys--had already lapsed last Dec. 31, 2023. But thousands of jeepney drivers remain unconsolidated due to various reasons, one of which is the high cost of "modern" jeeps.

On Wednesday afternoon, Romualdez had engaged in an impromptu dialogue some 100 distressed jeepney drivers at the House of Representatives in order to listen to their pleas. The unconsolidated drivers only only until the end of January to ply their routes.

That same morning, the Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop-led Committee on Transportation approved a motion urging President Marcos to reconsider the lapsed deadline for the benefit of the drivers.

Romualdez vowed to personally take up the matter with President Marcos and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) first thing on Thursday morning, Jan. 25.

But the Palace--obviously aware of what was happening in the House--announced the three-month extension to the consolidation deadline just a few minutes later.

CLICK HERE:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/romualdez-shares-fond-memories-of-traditional-jeeps-says-he-won-t-allow-icon-to-go-away

"Hindi kailangan tayong maghintay hanggang bukas, eh na-announce na so siya mismo ang nagsabi ng magandang balita. Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanya at agad-agad ay umaksiyon talaga siya,” the Speaker said of Marcos.

(We didn't have to wait for tomorrow, it has been announced so he himself said the good news. That's why we thank him for his immediate action.)

Later, Romualdez also met with LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III and other transport officials to discuss how to help the transport groups.

He said the traditional jeepney has "long been a symbol of our nation's vibrant culture and enduring spirit", and added that they must be preserved.

Had it not been for Malacañang's three-month extension to the consolidation, the unconsolidated drivers would have had their franchises automatically canceled. This means they can no longer ply their routes with their traditional jeepneys.

Related Tags

PUVMP consolidation Martin Romualdez LTFRB President Marcos
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