President Marcos’ decision to extend the consolidation deadline for public utility vehicles (PUV) is paying off as the consolidation rate across the country has already reached 80 percent, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Saturday, March 9.

In Metro Manila where the consolidation rate was not that high after the Dec. 31, 2023 originally deadline, LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said it already reached 96 percent in so far as active public utility jeepneys are concerned. 

“In Metro Manila, 96 percent of the active jeepneys have applied for consolidation while 80 to 90 percent in the provinces,” said Guadiz, referring to the remaining PUV operators who have not yet joined either a corporation or a cooperative. 

In January this year, Marcos decided to extend the deadline for consolidation to April 30 to give more chances for other PUV operators to join either a cooperative or a corporation, or put up their own since it is one of the major requirements to continue to enjoy the government’s permit to operate. 

The consolidation is the first phase of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) aimed at improving the public transportation in the country, with a focus on reduction of carbon emission amid the climate change concerns.

The PUVMP would eventually pave the way for the phase out of diesel-fed jeepneys and the operators have no choice since failure to consolidate would mean cancellation of their franchise to operate.

After the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline, only 76 percent of PUV operators across the country—52 percent in Metro Manila— were able to comply and the Department of Transportation is eyeing 85 percent consolidation rate nationwide and in Metro Manila after the April 30 deadline 

No more legal hitch?

Guadiz, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the recent decision of the Supreme Court which junked a case challenging the legality of the PUVMP, will pave the way for the removal of all legal stumbling blocks in its full implementation.

The High Court ruled against the petition filed by Bayyo Association, Inc. and there are still two other petitions on the same issue.

“We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court as it recognized the importance of the PUVMP in our efforts to modernize our public transport,” said Guadiz.

“We are optimistic that the two other pending cases against the PUVMP would get the same result,” he added.

Guadiz, however, said that he respects the transport group's next move to appeal the Supreme Court's decision.

No favoritism 

Guadiz also clarified anew that the government cannot impose the kind of modern jeepneys operators must acquire, and that the program will give them ample time to transition to modern units.

“Operators can buy any model they opt for as long as it is compliant with the Philippine National Standard,” said Guadiz,

He also reiterated that the PUVMP aims to provide a better, efficient, and safe transportation service to the Filipino people, dismissing claims that it would only cause negative effects to jeepney drivers and operators in the country.

He noted that it is high time the Philippines become at par with its neighboring countries in terms of public transport, emphasizing that the PUVMP is among the efforts needed to be done to achieve this.