Jeepney drivers, operators split on PUVMP suspension

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Moves to suspend the government’s jeepney modernization program are gaining traction, but transport cooperatives in Western Visayas see the move as harmful, while some operators of traditional jeepneys view it as an opportunity to earn a living again.

The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI), which has 14 transport cooperative members comprising more than 3,000 operators, said that the proposed suspension by the Senate would “cause more harm than good.”

As it appeals for “fair and just attention,” the alliance of 14 transport cooperatives has asked the government to exempt Iloilo City’s implementation of its enhanced LPTRP from the potential suspension of the PUVMP.

Perfecto Yap, a member of the Board of Trustees of WVATCCI, told Daily Guardian that suspending the program would mean that the efforts of transport cooperatives would be “back to zero” and would render the program a “white elephant.”

“Hopefully, the Senate and the President, in the process of considering the suspension, will make some distinctions, as the suspension cannot be applied universally. Many areas have already invested significantly in this program,” he said.

If the suspension goes through, Yap said transport cooperatives might hold a rally or a caravan throughout the country.

“We are surprised by the action because they listened to the minority, not the majority,” he said.

Rizal Alido, chairman of WVATCCI, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significant investments the cooperatives have made in Iloilo City’s LPTRP, totaling P1.7 billion.

“We will be filing a petition and resolution to the president that at this point in time, Iloilo City be exempted,” he added.

Alido said the cooperative’s investment can generate employment for 3,405 individuals, five times higher than the previous traditional units.

The WVATCCI also believes that the PUVMP could yield a total daily income of P1.7 billion or a monthly payroll of P44 million, benefiting 20,430 individuals.

The alliance further argued that with the full implementation of the LPTRP, it is expected to generate a total investment of P4.45 billion, employ 8,910 people, and provide a daily and monthly payroll of P4.45 million and P116 million respectively, supporting a total of 53,460 individuals.

Meanwhile, WVATCCI emphasized that since Iloilo City implemented its enhanced local public transport route plan in May, drivers and operators have gradually recovered and started paying their amortizations.

The alliance also noted that they are “completely compliant” with the number of awarded units and ready to start recovering their billion-worth investments.

“There is no need to extend the number of modernized units and traditional units; we reiterate that there are more than enough, and we are gradually operating smoothly,” they emphasized.

Iloilo City’s LPTRP includes a total of 25 rationalized and developmental routes, in which WVATCCI has 1,782 units awarded.

The alliance argued that all routes have been awarded with more than enough modernized and roadworthy traditional units, complying with the required number of awarded units.

“We did our share and complied with the requirements. We, as the majority, believe we need to be reciprocated with fair and just treatment and even awarded a prize for being law-abiding citizens and believers in the government program,” they highlighted.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES

While transport cooperatives see the suspension as a setback, transport groups opposing the PUVMP since its launch in 2017 welcomed the Senate’s call to suspend what they deem as an “anti-driver, anti-operator, anti-passenger, and anti-public” program.

The No to PUV Phaseout Coalition Western Visayas (NTPPC) said the strong opposition of their group was crucial in presenting the reasons why the program is flawed and has caused significant disruptions in the transport sector.

“The weak planning for implementing modernization, the promotion of expensive imported minibusses without clear funding plans, and the neglect of the local manufacturing sector were cited as bases for the senators to push for the Senate resolution calling for the suspension of the PUVMP,” NTPPC Western Visayas lead convenor Elmer Forro said.

The NTPPC mounted several transport strikes and caravans in Iloilo City to show its strong opposition to the program.

“Our victory at this point in our campaign to defend the interests of the majority will serve as a foundation to further strengthen our resolve to protect our interests,” Forro added.

According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, at least 1,950 traditional jeepneys in Western Visayas have lost their franchises previously granted to them.

A total of 6,584 public utility jeepneys (PUJs), or 77.2 percent of PUJs, consolidated have complied with the consolidation requirement of the PUVMP.

The mandatory consolidation measure of the PUVMP forces individual franchise-holders and operators of PUJs to “consolidate” by forming or joining cooperatives or corporations, a move that would gradually phase out old jeepneys with modern units.