Marcos: No extension of PUV consolidation deadline

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that there will be no extension for the December 31 deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators.

Marcos said 70 percent of all operators in the country have complied with the consolidation.

«Today, we held a meeting with transport officials, and it was decided that the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators will not be extended,» he said. «Currently, 70 percent of all operators have already committed to and consolidated under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).»

The President said that they will no longer extend the deadline, as the government cannot let the minority delay the modernization program.

«Adhering to the current timeline ensures that everyone can reap the benefits of the full operationalization of our modernized public transport system. Hence, the scheduled timeline will not be moved,» he added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said that the deadline for the consolidation of PUVs is set on December 31 this year.

Part of the government's PUV modernization program is the franchise consolidation requirement, in which drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys and utility van express units must consolidate into cooperatives and corporations before December 31 or lose their jobs.

All provisional authority and certificates of public convenience will expire on December 31, unless they are covered by the extension to be granted by the LTFRB for consolidated units.

This means that noncompliant jeepneys will not be allowed to ply their routes after the deadline.

The LTFRB said operators only need to submit a petition for consolidation by December 31 and their provisional authority would be extended.

The required number of members for the cooperative has also been reduced from 15 to 10.

The agency is also studying proposals allowing two cooperatives to ply one route instead of having only one corporation.