Transport organizations in Metro Cebu warned on Wednesday that the province of Cebu may face a transportation crisis if the government will not postpone or cancel the mandatory consolidation policy.

According to Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide Cebu chairperson Greg Perez, the policy will have a negative impact on the livelihood of operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys who solely rely on jeepneys as their source of income.

The franchise consolidation is to affect 200 active members of Piston Cebu and other jeepney operators and drivers.

"One of our calls is to cancel the policy," Perez said, adding that if the government wants to pursue the modernization program, it should find a better way to implement it as transition should be slow and no operator or driver would be left behind.

Previously, Department of Transportation Undersecretary TJ Batan announced that jeepney units of operators and drivers who fail to comply with the mandatory consolidation policy on or before the 31 December 2023 deadline will be considered colorum.

He reiterated the position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ruling out a possible extension of the yearend deadline.

"Our President has already spoken that the welfare of the many stakeholders under the PUV modernization program can no longer be delayed by the concerns of the few. So we will follow the President's directive on this that there will no longer be an extension," Batan said.

"Now what will happen if a jeepney operator or driver failed to consolidate by 31 December? Their franchise can no longer be extended. Meaning, come 1 January, they will no longer have a franchise and if they continue operating, then, yes, they will already be considered as colorum," he added.

Through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, simplified requirements have been set, which include the vehicle's Official Receipt/ Certificate of Registration and a petition.

The minimum cooperative members were also slashed to 10 from 15 members.

"Step 2 in PUV modernization is upgrading, which potentially involves buying new units. Our consolidated operator will have two to three years after they consolidate or after two to three years after 31 December to modernize, come 1 January if possible, which is more likely that we will still see traditional jeepneys running on our roads, but those traditional jeepneys will be under consolidated operators," Batan said.

The government's PUV Modernization Program requires operators to replace their jeepneys with vehicles fitted with Euro-4 compliant engines as part of efforts to make an environment-friendly transport system in the country.

The unit costs around P1.5 to P2.7 million.