By Gabriela Baron
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Thursday, Feb. 2, that the phaseout of old jeepneys will push through in April.
According to LTFRB, the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization cannot be delayed anymore because it has been extended three times since June 2020.
The extension for operators to participate in cooperatives and join the modernization is set to end on April 26, according to LTFRB.
In Metro Manila alone, 37,000 traditional jeepneys are yet to register in the government’s modernization programs.
LTFRB Board Member Riza Marie Paches clarified that the fate of traditional jeepneys after the April deadline has yet to be decided.
“I cannot say na hindi sila makatakbo, depende po doon sa ipe-present sa Board sa Monday kung ano po ‘yung mga scenario at action,” Paches said.
“Remember, when we create the scenario, there [are] consequences into all of this decision,” she added.
Earlier, LTFRB met the nine cooperatives in Metro Manila to seek their cooperation to encourage more operators to join.
There is a membership fee when joining cooperatives, P10,000 for operators and P2,500 for drivers.
Not against modernization
Meanwhile, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), a national federation of jeepney drivers and transport operators, stressed they are not against modernization.
In a radio interview in January, PISTON National President Mody Floranda said they are opposing the forced removal of individual operator franchises and the importation of what they called “expensive modernized mini buses.”
“Hindi tayo tutol sa modernisasyon. Ang tinututulan natin ay ang sapilitang pagtanggal sa mga indibidwal na mga prangkisa ng mga operator at ang pag-aangkat ng mga pagkamahal-mahal na modernized mini bus,” Floranda said.
“Ang dapat gawin ng pamahalaan ay suportahan at palakasin ang lokal nating industriya at manupaktura upang makapagbigay rin ng mga lokal na trabaho sa mga manggagawang Pilipino,” he added. With report from Karen Villanda-ag