Councilor Benny Bomogao is urging local transport groups to take the jeepney modernization program seriously since the government is really bent on making our air cleaner, with better quality, and is pushing for better transportation management.”
Bomogao, chair of the council committee on transportation, said in Thursday’s City Hall Hour media forum that Department of Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade stressed that there is no other way but to move forward when it comes to the public utility vehicle modernization program
The program was launched by the DOTr in 2017 with the goal of making the country’s public transportation system efficient and environment-friendly by 2020.
The councilor is advising jeepney operators to take the first step by consolidating their franchises and form themselves into cooperatives or corporations.
“Those who fail to do so will be given a one year provisional authority to operate their vehicles, then no more,” Bomogao warned.
He said that the process of changing units may take time but it will surely happen.
“I hope that our friends in the transport sector take this program very, very seriously. They should take the first step or they might be left out since those who have consolidated will be given priority to apply for new units for their group,” Bomogao explained.
Earlier this year, leaders of several transport group in Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet staged a protest rally in front of the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board-Cordillera office to reiterate their opposition to the enforcement of the PUV modernization program that would allegedly ground jeepneys deemed not roadworthy anymore. – Gaby Keith
April 25, 2024
