Press Release - Poe says promises of 'humane' PUV modernization unfulfilled

Senator Grace Poe said plans and promises touted under the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization have remained unrealized seven years since the program was introduced.

Poe said the high cost of modern jeepney, lack of route plans and inadequate safety nets have brought uncertainties to the livelihood of thousands of drivers and hardship to many commuters who have to deal with fewer PUVs plying the roads.

"Throughout the seven years, this committee has never stopped asking the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to revisit the program while we begged for cooperation from the drivers-operators and commuters," Poe said, referring to the Senate committee on public services which she headed.

"Noon ngang mga nakaraang pagdinig natin sa isyu at sa budget ng programa, nangako muli ang DOTr na rerebisahin ang programa. Unfortunately, we have yet to see it make good on its commitment. Kumbaga, tila ba ang slogan ng PUV Modernization ay, 'Pinangakuan na kayo, gusto nyo pang tuparin'," she added in a public hearing on Friday.

Poe earlier filed Senate Bill No. 105 which calls for a "just and humane" PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), including transitory assistance and services rendered to operators, drivers and other stakeholders.

The program requires jeepney operators and drivers to organize cooperatives or join existing ones, which would operate the fleet of modernized jeepneys the groups would purchase.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced that starting May 1, 2024, unconsolidated jeepneys would no longer be allowed to ply their routes and risk being impounded.

Poe asked concerned transportation agencies about their plans for the 36,217 PUVs that did not join cooperatives.

"This represents thousands of drivers and operators that are prevented from engaging in their primary source of livelihood. Nakalulungkot isipin na sa ika-pitong taon ng implementasyon ng PUVMP ay tila wala pa ring solido na plano ang DOTr para sa kanila," she said.

The senator said that the DOTr also earlier promised to approve 50% of Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRP) by June 30, 2024. However, as of last May, Poe pointed out that only 11% or 174 LPTRPs have