DRIVERS AND OPERATORS continue to demand the scrapping of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which seeks to phase out and replace jeepneys with expensive and outdated imported mini-buses. This was after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) declared continuing the PUVMP despite the senate’s second resolution calling for a suspension of the program.

The senate took notice of the large number of jeepneys that refused to consolidate, as the very expensive mini-buses are beyond the means of drivers and operators.

Whether it gets suspended or not, the PUVMP has already done a lot of damage to the livelihood of drivers and operators. It has tried to prevent large number of jeepneys from plying their routes amid threats of accosting non-consolidated jeepneys, charging drivers and impounding their jeepneys.

This is despite the LTFRB’s unpublicized resolution on April 30 that allowed non-consolidated jeepneys to operate on routes with zero or low consolidated franchise. The LTFRB deliberately concealed this from drivers and operators to force a large number of drivers who have refused to consolidate to submit to the PUVMP.

The program is a burden even on those who have consolidated and have been forced to buy expensive easily damaged vehicles with parts that are hard to find. In Iloilo City, the PUVMP resulted in the reduction of many routes of small cooperatives, and the monopolization of major routes within the city by large corporations.

Piston continues the call for the return of their 5-year individual franchise and for drivers forced to join the consolidation, to withdraw their application for consolidation.