Senator Raffy Tulfo on Sunday questioned the logic behind the government's purported plan to import modern transportation units from China to replace the traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

"China has already invaded our waters in the West Philippine Sea, why are we letting them do the same on our roads?" Tulfo said in a statement.

He noted that the project "reeks of corruption," considering that the local jeepney manufacturing industry can produce quality modern vehicles at a lower cost.

Tulfo was apparently referring to Francisco Motors Corp., which on social media showed off its take on modern jeepneys.

Aside from Francisco, Sarao Motors has been the primary manufacturer of traditional jeepneys that are being phased out under the PUVMP. Traditional jeepneys were derived from World War 2 surplus military Jeeps.

Tulfo said imported jeepneys from China cost P2.6 to P2.9 million per unit, which he said is way more expensive than a brand-new unit that Sarao and Francisco Motors can manufacture for only P900,000 to P985,000 each.

Savings

Tulfo said the government would save an estimated P1.7 million per unit if a local manufacturer is chosen over a Chinese company.

Moreover, Tulfo said if the cost of the jeepney to be purchased is around P900,000, the government will be able to afford the subsidy to implement the modernization at no cost to the jeepney drivers and operators.

The government only subsidizes P210,000 to P280,000 of the P2.5 million cost of a new Euro-4 PUV model, making it difficult for ordinary jeepney drivers to procure a modern unit.

Tulfo also pointed out that buying modern jeepneys from local manufacturers would generate thousands of jobs for Filipino workers, "not to mention that it could also preserve the style and design of jeepneys, which are a part of Filipino culture."

Above all, he noted, it is vital to prioritize the welfare of the jeepney drivers in implementing the modernization program.

Launched in 2017, the deadline for the implementation of the PUV modernization program has been postponed several times. It was originally scheduled for 30 June 2023, but was delayed until 31 December 2023 to give more time for jeepney operators to comply with the modernization requirements.

Part of the program requires phasing out traditional jeepneys, buses, and other PUVs at least 15 years old.

Deadline

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has said that PUV drivers and operators who failed to consolidate their franchises before 31 December will have only until the end of the month to operate.

As this developed, the House Committee on Transportation scheduled for next week a probe into the alleged corruption plaguing the PUVMP.

Panel chairperson Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop said Speaker Martin Romualdez tagged the program as fraught with corruption.

"We cannot allow corruption to take root in implementing the modernization program. If we are to proceed with the modernization of our PUVs, we must make sure there is not even a whiff of an irregularity," Acop said.

The committee is currently securing a consensus from panel members to carry on with the motu proprio inquiry on Wednesday.

Last week, Romualdez directed Acop's panel to investigate reports that corrupt practices may have tainted the conceptualization and planned implementation of the PUVMP.

Romualdez said reports alleged that transport officials are in cahoots with previous officials in negotiating for the imported modern jeepney units that will replace the old units.

The PUVMP, initiated during the Duterte administration in June 2017, aims to replace traditional jeepneys with safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly electric-powered or Euro 4 compliant vehicles.

The Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, two agencies under the Department of Transportation, oversee its implementation.

In an interview in October 2023, Manila Rep. Benny Abante said that he had been persistently denouncing the "corruption" in the agency for over a decade.

"That's a really long time. I think [since] 2009, I've been telling them about the corruption. But, of course, we are not being heard," Abante said.

Apart from the LTFRB, Abante said, the LTO is also hounded by corruption in the application and renewal of driver's licenses and the backlog in license plates.

Both Abante and Acop initiated an inquiry into allegations of corruption in the agency mandated to regulate land-based public transportation in October last year.

The DoTR carried on with the PUVMP unfazed by the opposition of some lawmakers, including the President's sister, Senator Imee Marcos, despite the program being unfunded in the 2024 national budget.

Consolidation

The LTFRB last Friday reported that around 145,721 PUVs, or 76 percent of all PUVs operating on fixed routes nationwide, are consolidated or have applied for consolidation.

It added that the consolidation rate for public utility jeepneys has reached 73.9 percent, while for UV Express units, it has reached 82 percent.

In December, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that the deadline for the consolidation of PUV operators, which was scheduled on 31 December, would no longer be extended, citing at least 70 percent of operators nationwide had consolidated under the PUVMP.

Romualdez, however, called on the DoTr to undertake a "complete review" and extend the implementation of the PUVMP.