MANILA — The government would continue to apprehend road unworthy public utility vehicles (PUVs) across the country in compliance with the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), an official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
There was a need to deploy roadworthy public transport vehicles as the government prepares to implement the program, LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said.
“Tuloy ang Tanggal Bulok Tanggal Usok. Ang campaign na eto ay long overdue. During the transition kailangan ang ilagay ang karapat-dapat na PUVs on the road. We are slowly paving the way towards modernization (The ‘Tanggal Bulok Tanggal Usok’ will continue. This campaign is long overdue. During the transition, we need to have PUVs that are worthy on the road),” Lizada said in a text message to reporters Monday in reaction to the planned transport rally by militant group PISTON in LTFRB offices nationwide to protest the modernization program on Jan. 24, 2018.
The LTFRB is calling on PISTON for a dialogue on the benefits of the PUVMP on public transport and to the riding public.
The Board also warns jeepney drivers and operators that their franchises will be revoked if they are found to have participated in the protest action.
“The modernization of the PUJs is a very humane project that the government is undertaking. Thirty government agencies have coordinated with others to provide help to jeepney operators to survive in the transition to the modernization program,” Lizada said.
As part of the ‘Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok’ campaign, the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) will strictly enforce road inspection of public transport vehicles.
More than 900 vehicles were already apprehended for various violations ranging from smoke belching, defective parts, worn-out tires, no seatbelt and others since the campaign was launched last January 8.
Meanwhile, PISTON is calling for the moratorium on the initiative before it decides to conduct a dialogue with the government.
“Etong LTFRB ay using ang taktikang CARROT and STICK. Makikipag-usap habang patuloy kang binibira. We are demanding na magpatupad sila ng moratorium sa operasyon na ginagawa nila then we can talk (The LTFRB is using the CARROT and STICK tactic. They want for us to have a dialogue with them yet they are denouncing us. We are demanding a moratorium on their ongoing campaign then we can talk),” PISTON National President George San Mateo said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The transport group is urging the government to junk the PUVMP as they believe that this only benefits private corporate interests.
It called on the government to craft a people-oriented and nationalized mass transport system that will be inclusive to all transportation shareholders. (PNA)
