LTFRB: PUV CONSOLIDATION REOPENED UNTIL NOVEMBER 29

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) public utility vehicles (PUVs) modernization program has been reopened until November 29 to give "one last chance" for unconsolidated jeepney operators.
According to LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, the application for consolidation under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) of unconsolidated public utility vehicle drivers and operators will be open for 45 days.

Applications for consolidation program for PUVs has been reopened by the LTFRB, operators and drivers are given 45 days to apply (Photo courtesy of Noel Celis/ AFP)
“I only gave them 45 days. This is also in response to the Senate’s request when they passed a resolution asking us to defer the deadline. The concession I’m giving is to reopen it, but only for 45 days,” Guadiz said.
Adding that unconsolidated drivers and operators may still join existing transport cooperatives and corporations but will not be allowed to form new ones except in certain routes.
“We still have routes all over the Philippines that no existing cooperatives have yet applied for. In those instances, we will allow new cooperatives to come in and take over these existing routes. Even in Metro Manila, there are more like that, mostly in Quezon City.”
Guadiz said that this will be the final and last chance as they never really intended to have another extension. “This is only to accommodate the Senate. Because in our dialogue with the Senate President, all he wants is to leave nothing behind.”
“And the only way to leave nothing in the system is for us to reopen but we said to the Senate President that it cannot be perpetual. It would be unfair to those who already joined.”
He also noted that newly-consolidated drivers and operators will automatically be eligible for a P10,000 fuel subsidy. “The moment you apply, you are automatically qualified. We will enroll you in Landbank, and you can already withdraw your funds.”
Over 83 percent of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) nationwide have already consolidated, an additional 7 to 10 percent to catch up is expected with the reopening of the program.
Many drivers and operators expressed interest to join after realizing that without consolidation they would no longer be able to benefit from government initiatives such as the fuel subsidy program and the service contracting program or Libreng Sakay, where they can receive thousands of pesos, Guadiz added.
Source: ABS-CBN News
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