Manibela calls on PBBM to suspend PUVMP; group offers free rides during strike

Transport group Manibela on Thursday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to approve the Senate resolution suspending the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In a press conference, Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said the Senate’s move reflects the voice of the Filipino people, including jeepney drivers, operators and commuters.

“The senator is the Filipino mother, the chairwoman of the transportation sector, the chairwoman of the drivers with the operators, the chairwoman of the Philippine government. “It is not easy to give opportunities to drivers and operators lately,” he said.

(The voice of the Senate is the voice of the Filipino people, the transportation sector, drivers, operators and our dear commuters. To our dear President, I hope you will listen to the majority of drivers and operators.)

On Wednesday, 22 of the 23 senators signed the proposed Senate Resolution 1096, which calls on the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP, now known as the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

In the resolution, lawmakers cited concerns over the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, the abolition of the iconic jeepney design “in favor of so-called modern jeepneys,” the low percentage of approved routes, among others.

Meanwhile, Valbuena said Manibela will offer free rides to commuters affected by the transport strike of drivers and operators who have complied with the PUVMP.

Launched in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4 compliant engine to reduce pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

A modern jeepney costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines say is too expensive for drivers and operators of PUVs.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations represents the first phase of the modernization program.

The LTFRB had originally stated that PUVs that did not consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be considered “colorum” or PUVs without a franchise.

However, the LTFRB has allowed the operation of unconsolidated jeepneys and UV-Express on over 2,500 routes with a small number of consolidations.

As of May 2024, a total of 36,217 PUVs and 2,445 routes were not yet consolidated. —RF, GMA Integrated News