The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board-Cordillera has advised jeepney operators to secure copies of the memorandum circular that extended the deadline of application for the consolidation of their units to Dec. 31.
In its Facebook account, the LTFRB-Cordillera has encouraged transport service entities and individual operators to secure a copy of Memorandum Circular 2023-017 to be attached to their provisional authority.
To recall, the LTFRB earlier issued MC 2023-017 that extended the deadline for consolidation to Dec. 31 without the need for jeepney operators to file for extension.
MC 2023-017 revoked MC 2023-013, which gave public utility vehicles until June 30 to join existing consolidated entities to continue their operations, the LTFRB acknowledged the need to review the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program.
“Due to the recent pronouncements of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista on the need to review the PUV Modernization Program and to assess the level of compliance by the stakeholders, the Board deems it proper to recall MC 2023-13 pending such review and while consultations are being undertaken,” the LTFRB circular stated.
The PUV Modernization Program has mandated the phasing out of dilapidated jeepney units and replacing them with safer and more environment-friendly vehicles. It required jeepney operators to consolidate their units into larger fleets with at least 15 vehicles that will be operated by accredited cooperatives or corporations, which will be granted franchises by the LTFRB.
The program also mandates the use of Euro-4 compliant engines, which are more fuel-efficient and emit less pollution, aside from being equipped with safety features such as GPS tracking devices and closed-circuit television cameras and dashboard cameras.
Jeepney operators have threatened to stage a week-long strike in March to protest the phaseout of traditional jeepneys and to convince the government to defer the implementation of the PUVMP.
The government launched the PUVMP in 2017, which sought to replace the traditional jeepneys with modern units. – Jane B. Cadalig
