PUBLIC utility vehicle operators and drivers have been warned to stop plying their routes beginning February 1 to avoid being apprehended by authorities, said the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) Sunday.
OTC Chairman Andy Ortega was referring to the jeepneys that would be tagged as “colorum” or illegal after their operators failed to meet the December 31, 2023 consolidation deadline as part of the PUV Modernization Program.
“‘Yung sa mga alam nilang hindi naman sila pwedeng bumyahe, ika nga, wala na silang prangkisa, kusa sila dapat hindi na bumiyahe para wala nang pinaguusapang hulihan,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
(Drivers who know that they can no longer operate because they no longer have franchises should not operate to not be apprehended.)
“‘Yun ang pinaka-importante dito, na ikaw mismo, alam mo na, hindi ka dapat bumiyahe, wag ka nang bumiyahe para hindi magkagulo o magkaron ng konting mga friction,” he continued.
Ortega said Saturday that drivers and operators of unconsolidated PUV units would not ultimately lose their livelihoods as they can still join o be absorbed by other cooperatives or consolidated PUV entities.
Based on data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), only 21,655 out of 42,177 units, or 51%, met the consolidation deadline, leaving 20,522 units 20,522 units still unconsolidated.
This means that half of the jeepneys in Metro Manila could be considered “colorum” starting February 1.
Despite this, Ortega said law enforcers would be “sensitive” in approaching operators and drivers who will be affected by the PUV Modernization Program.
The OTC chairman also remained firm that operators knew the implications of not consolidating.
“Clear talaga na ‘yun talagang hindi umabot ng December 31, which was two weeks ago, alam na nila na hindi na talaga sila makakasama sa programa… Desisyon naman po nila ‘yun. Talagang hindi sila nag-consolidate nung December 31,” he said.
On Sunday, Manibela Transport group will stage another nationwide transport protest on Tuesday, January 16 — the latest in a string of protests to oppose the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said around 10,000 to 15,000 jeepney drivers and operators are expected to join the protest, including commuters and students.
