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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Paano tayo kikilos kapag walang drivers?': Imee Marcos tells gov't to solve PUV modernization woes

'Paano tayo kikilos kapag walang drivers?': Imee Marcos tells gov't to solve PUV modernization woes

Published Apr 14, 2024 12:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Imee Marcos is urging the government to find "concrete" solutions to the issues currently hounding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
  • The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently announced that the April 30 deadline set by President Marcos was the last extension for individual PUV operators and drivers to comply with the modernization requirements.

Imee Marcos.jpgSenator Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB)

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Imee Marcos is urging the government to find “concrete” solutions to the issues currently hounding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Alam naman natin malawakang problema ito… yung mga concern ng ating iba’t ibang sektor ay hindi pa naa-address nang kumpleto,” Marcos said in a radio interview.

(We know that this is a widespread problem... the concerns of our various sectors have not yet been fully addressed.)

“Ang transportasyon ay parang dugo, sirkulasyon ng bayan… yan talaga ang umiikot at nagpapairal ng negosyo, naghahatid ng estudyante, nagdadala ng may sakit sa ospital. Papaano tayo kikilos kapag wala ang ating mga driver?” she asked.

(Transportation is like blood, the circulation of our country... that is what transmits and makes businesses exist, transports students, transports the sick to the hospital. How will we move without our drivers?)

The lady senator issued this appeal as another nationwide transport strike is set to take place on Monday, April 15. 

Senator Marcos pointed out that an immediate consultation process with all stakeholders would be the key to solving the problems of the PUV modernization program.

She said that “merely extending” the April 30 franchise consolidation deadline will not address the issues at hand.

“May palugit o wala, hindi rin natin mapipilit yung ating mga driver kapag hindi pa naisasaayos ang pagbili ng sasakyan; hindi pa malaman kung sino ang sasagot kapag hindi nakapagbayad ng utang. Lahat ito ay napakaimportante,” she explained.

(With or without a grace period, we cannot force our drivers when the purchase of the vehicle has not been arranged yet; it is not yet known who will shoulder the cost when the debt is not paid. All of these are very important.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently announced that the April 30 deadline set by President Marcos was the last extension for individual PUV operators and drivers to comply with the modernization requirements.

With this, jeepney operators who fail to meet the consolidation deadline will lose their franchise and must cease plying their routes. 

Senator Marcos emphasized that modernizing the transport sector must not come at the expense of drivers and the riding public—both of which are “trying to make ends meet amid rising inflation and high cost of living,” she said.

She said this will only further strain the already problematic transport situation in the country.

Related Tags

PUV Modernization Program imee marcos Jeepney
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