“We shall continue with the PUV Modernization Program. For the sake of this country, let us have political will. No delays, no postponement, let us get this done.” That is the exact directive of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to road transport officials following reports that the program, the biggest transformational initiative of the Duterte administration, will be postponed or delayed.
“Allow us to state categorically that the PUV Modernization Program is a go. It is currently being implemented, as it is happening now. Not in another decade, but now,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in a statement.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III categorically assured DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade that the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program will push through.
Despite his admission that implementing the said project is a hard task, the LTFRB chair said he thinks the project would benefit a lot of jeepney drivers.
Department Order No. 2017-01 or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, and Memorandum Circular 2018-008 on the Consolidation of Franchises are the program’s initial implementation respectively.
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2018-008, individual operators are encouraged and required to consolidate into a juridical entity as Cooperatives or Corporations until March 18, 2019 to participate in the modernization program. After March 18, 2019 LTFRB shall consider the applications for the issuance of CPCs filed by single juridical entities on the authorized route of the existing individual franchise holders.
“Handa po kaming ipatupad ito. Hindi naman po siguro kami kukuha ng bato na ipupukpok sa sarili namin. Kung dati, hanggang plano lang, ibahin niyo po kami,” Secretary Tugade said.
“We have taken the initial bold step towards progress, and we need leaders who can tell us where else we can do better, not tell us why it cannot be done. Ang tagal na po naghihintay ng mga commuters, pero hanggang ngayon puro pa rin tayo dahilan. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and it may not be popular among a certain sector, but that does not make it wrong,” added Secretary Tugade.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region, we have an existing and the 1st Regional Transport Cooperative registered in Cooperative Development of the Philippines (CDA) and accredited by the Office of Transportation Cooperatives. The Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) is operating in CAR and to any point of Luzon.
CBSTC has been conducting Transportation Summits and Pre-membership Seminars since 2018, and just concluded their transportation summit in Sagada on February 16, Ifugao and Tabuk in the past weekend attended by more than 800, 500 and 1000 drivers and operators respectively.
They are encouraging the basic sectors in the Cordillera region to attend their Pre-Membership Seminars to know about the cooperative and be educated on the PUV Modernization Program of the government. They believe that it is high time and this is the chance for the basic sectors which includes but not limited to OFWs, drivers, LGBTs, women, out-of-school youth, PWDs, farmers, contractual employees, and basically everyone to improve their lives through the transportation industry.
The CBSTC has an office located at the Rooms 4 & 5, 3rd floor Oras Commercial bldg., Km 5, La Trinidad, Benguet (beside Epiphany Church). Contact numbers are 0938 589 4504 and 074 665 7544. (DOTr, CBSTC)
By Jing Samonte
