President Marcos announced that he would no longer be allowing an extension of the franchise consolidation under the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), saying it is vital in the country's efforts to ease the traffic in Metro Manila.

Marcos said this as he attended the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Concerns in San Juan City on Wednesday, April 10.

In his remarks during the event's open forum, the President received cheers after he said that the April 30 deadline will no longer be extended.

Marcos approved an extension last January to provide an opportunity to those wanting to consolidate.

"At ang kahuli-hulihan ay asahan po ninyo wala na pong extension yung modernization (PUVMP). Kailangang na kailangan na natin ‘yan (Finally, expect that there won't be an extension for the franchise consolidation. We need it soon)," he said.

"Tinitiyak lang namin na hindi mapabigat pa ang babayaran at ang iuutang ng drayber, operator kaya’t ginagawa nating maayos at ginagawa nating well-organized yung sistema na ‘yan (We're just ensuring that the drivers' and operators' fees and loans are not exorbitant that's why we're making the system well-organized)," he added.

In his speech, President Marcos thanked transport organizations for helping the government address Metro Manila traffic congestion and improve the transport system.

He likewise promised to act on the present challenges through various measures, including the prevalence of vehicles plying the roads without necessary permits or authorization, or the so-called "colorum" vehicles.

Marcos tasked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to carry out appropriate measures through law enforcement.

“Napakarami pala at hindi ko akalain na 30 porsiyento ng pumapasada ay colorum pala kaya’t ipapasa ko ngayon kay DILG Secretary ang problema dahil ang pulis ang mag-eenforce n’yan (I realized that's it's a large number. Thirty percent of those operating are colorum that's why I'm turning over the problem to the DILG Seceretary since the police should enforce the laws)," he said.

"Titiyakin na may prangkisang tama, may kasama sa kooperatiba, lahat ng inyong grupo at yung ibang mga transport groups, mga TODA (transport organizations), lahat ay kinikilala ang mga papasada (We will ensure that everybody has the appropriate franchise, belongs to cooperative, and they are recognized by the TODAs),” he added.

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said public utility vehicles totaling 190,000 units, comprising UV Express, PUJs, mini-buses, and buses, have availed of consolidation.

The government is carrying out the PUVMP to address the aggravating transport-related problems and the future transportation demand of the country.

The program aims to transform the country's public transport system, making commuting and public transportation operations more dignified, humane, and on par with global standards.