No extension for PUV consolidation deadline after 2-day strike announcement

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced that there will be no more extension of the December 31 deadline for public utility vehicle (PUV) consolidation.

This comes after progressive transport group Piston announced an upcoming transport strike from December 14 to 15 to protest the impending phaseout of traditional jeepneys and UV Express units.

"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," said Marcos on Tuesday.

"Currently, 70% of all operators have already committed to and consolidated under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP)," he added.

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.

Currently, 70 percent of all operators have already committed to and consolidated under the Public…

The government stood firm on its deadline after the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier gave into some of Piston's demands such as waiving penalties, extending franchise validity to five years, and removing certain challenging parts of the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.

According to transport groups, those with individual franchises who fail to consolidate before 2024 will no longer be allowed to operate, plunging thousands of drivers operators into unemployment.

Last November, the Department of Transportation claimed that they have already clarified "misconceptions" about the phaseout of traditional jeeps, emphasizing the provision of financial assistance for cooperatives.

This aligns with the DOTr's initiative to shift traditional jeepneys to eco-friendly alternatives like minibuses and electric vehicles. Yet, transport groups argued that these vehicles can cost up to P2.8 million.

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier tried to "correct" talks about a possible phaseout, despite LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III's acknowledgment that a jeepney phaseout would be the "last stage" of the PUV modernization program.

"We cannot let the