Senators want to delay phaseout of traditional jeepneys

MANILA: The Senate unanimously endorsed the resolution filed by Senator Grace Poe requesting that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) postpone the June 30 deadline for the phase-out of traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

All 24 senators are co-authors of Senate Resolution No. 44. A public hearing is set for Thursday, March 2.

To oppose the phase-out, traditional jeepney operators and drivers have called for a weeklong strike to begin on Monday, March 6.

“The LTFRB should be reminded that jeepney drivers do not have deep pockets. The most recent study estimates that their average daily take-home pay is a meager P755,” Poe stated.

Poe, who leads the Committee on Public Services, also urged Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to put up a plan of action for the upcoming transportation strike.

Poe also requested that the DOTr and LTFRB provide an update on the PUVMP, including the timeline and achievable goals.

“We expect that Secretary Bautista himself will participate and personally meet with the various transport groups ASAP and hear their concerns,” Poe said. “Hopefully, the DOTr and Secretary Bautista can propose a solution that can avert the impending transport strike.”

At the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023, Bautista stated that they would meet with Mar Valbuena, chairperson of transport group Manibela.

If the LTFRB moves forward with the phase-out, around 50,000 traditional jeepneys will be affected, claims Poe. Meanwhile, 40,000 or even more jeepneys will be off the road due to the transport strike.

“We owe it to our people to provide them with a safe, reliable and adequate transport system,” Poe stated.

LTFRB Technical Division Chief Joel Bolano had pledged to support small traditional jeepney operators by helping them form cooperatives and corporations to make the transition to modern PUVs easier. According to Bolano, the assistance will be through the Office of the Transport Cooperative.

According to the LTFRB, the PUVMP seeks to create a “restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable” transport sector where drivers and operators have secure, sustainable, and decent livelihoods while passengers arrive to their destinations quickly, safely, and conveniently.

Photo from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board

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