LTFRB: transport coops to decide on modern PUV models, not gov't

MANILA: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) clarified that the cooperatives and operators will be the ones to choose the brand or model of the modern public utility vehicle (PUV) units that they will purchase to comply with the modernization program.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III noted that the agency will not be requiring any brand or model as long as the units are approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and adhere to the Philippine National Standard.

“Ang nasusunod po sa pagbili at pagpili ng modern jeepneys ay ang mga cooperatives. The government has no say kung ano ang unit na bibilhin at kung saan ito manggagaling (The cooperatives are the ones who decide in purchasing and choosing the modern jeepneys. The government has no say on which unit they will buy and from where it will be manufactured),” he stated.

Guadiz said that cooperatives have the freedom to choose whether to buy units locally or from Japan, China, or any country.

“We also ensure that the primary aspect to consider in shifting to modern jeepneys is the safety and roadworthiness of the new jeepney units to provide better service to the commuters,” the LTFRB chief emphasized.

Currently, there are 32 models of modern PUVs being used in the country.

Office of Transport Cooperatives Chairman Jesus Ortega also revealed that the majority of the PUV operators support the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. not to extend the deadline of the consolidation.

He also clarified that there is no basis for the reported P50 fare increase on modern PUVs as the government has retained the two-peso matrix difference between traditional and modern jeepneys.

The current minimum fare on modern PUVs remains at P15, which is P2 higher than the P13 fare on traditional jeepneys.

Photos from Hariphil Asia Resources Incorporated and  Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation

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