Senator Francis Tolentino has called on the Senate to help devise more options for drivers under the seemingly problematic Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In Tolentino's regular DZRH program with Elmer Francisco, owner of local vehicle manufacturer Francisco Motors, the senator expressed his support in seeking more options at the Senate to resolve the issues hounding PUV modernization.

“Magagaling talaga ang mga Pinoy gumawa ng tunay na jeepney, bakit natin ipagagawa sa ibang bansa? Kumbaga tayo na ang nag-imbento ng jeepney (Filipinos are good at creating the real jeepney, why are we getting it from other countries? We're the ones who made it),” Francisco said.

Tolentino spoke with Francisco to clarify possible options for the drivers and operators as the government pursues modernization.

Tolentino called for the immediate resolution on the issues surrounding the Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Modernization, which have affected Filipino jeepney drivers and operators.

“Kailangan na harapin ang isyu na ito, bagama’t nasa Supreme Court, kailangang marinig ng taumbayan — di naman kasi lahat ng ating mga tsuper ay makakadalo sa Supreme Court hearing, kung ano talaga ang mga solusyon dito sa problemang ito (We must face this issue, eventhough it's with the SC, we need to hear out the public, not all drivers will be able to visit the SC hearing, on what will be the solution to this problem),” the senator said.

He was pertaining to the qualms of jeepney drivers and operators especially prior to the consolidation deadline last Dec. 31, 2023.

“Kailangan ng modernization na tutugma sa bulsa ng mga tsuper at operators (It must be a modernization that will suit the budget of drivers of operators),” Tolentino said.

According to Francisco, their modernized, fully electric jeepney units worth P985,000 each comply with the Philippine National Standards. They are vertically bigger, with safer entry and exit points, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Moreover, the said units are airconditioned, have four channels of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, dashcam, and an automated fare collection system. They also seek to maintain the iconic Filipino jeepney exterior.

Based on the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) data, the PUVMP did not garner much support from transport operators in Metro Manila as only 40 percent of them have agreed to join it either via corporation or a cooperative.  

But on a nationwide basis, DOTr-Office of Transportation Cooperative Chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said they achieved the target of around 70 percent of transport operators consolidating as part of the first phase of the country’s transportation modernization.

The deadline for consolidation lapsed on Dec. 31, and President Marcos himself had insisted that there will be neither extension nor lifting of the deadline.