SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed the decision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. granting a three-month extension for the consolidation of the public utility vehicles (PUV) program started by the previous administration, stressing the Chief Executive is not blind nor deaf to the sentiments and concerns of the people.
Romualdez said the President recognizes the issue’s impact on the local transportation sector and that it comes at a crucial time when the community navigates challenges in the transport industry.
The decision of President Marcos came after Speaker Romualdez and other House leaders met leaders of transport groups led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) President Mody Floranda and Manibela President Mar Valbuena who sought an audience with him to extend the consolidation program.
“Nadinig kaagad ‘yung ating hinaing po. President Ferdinand Marcos has just approved the recommendation of the Transportation Secretary [Jaime Bautista] granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, to consolidate Public Utility Vehicles. This extension allows those who expressed intention to consolidate but still need to make the previous cut-off; kaya may extension tayo kaagad. Kaya ‘yung sinasabi nating end of the month ay na-extend ng tatlong buwan,” Romualdez told the media.
“Kaya po may oras naman tayo, may panahon tayo na mag-consolidate at maghanap tayo ng solusyon. Kaya ‘yun talaga ang sinasabi ng ating mahal Pangulo, na very sensitive, attentive at nakikinig. Hindi kailangan tayong maghintay hanggang bukas, eh na-announce na so siya mismo ang nagsabi ng magandang balita kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanya at agad-agad ay umaksiyon talaga siya,” Romualdez said.
Later, the Speaker also met with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III and other transport officials to discuss how to help the transport groups.
While underscoring the need to modernize public utility vehicles, Speaker Romualdez said drivers’ livelihoods should be preserved.
He said the jeepney has “long been a symbol of our nation’s vibrant culture and enduring spirit.”
The DOTr gave jeepney operators and drivers until the end of 2023 to join or organize themselves into transport cooperatives. Those unable to do so were given until the end of this month to comply with the requirement.
JEEPNEY DRIVERS LAUD SPEAKER’S SUPPORT ON PUVMP ISSUE
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez holds a dialogue with transport leaders over their concern on the government’s modernization program and its adverse effect on their livelihood at the Romualdez Hall of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Romualdez assured them that he would bring their concerns to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and that he would make an appeal to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
