Transport organizations in Metro Cebu warned yesterday that Cebu may suffer from a transportation crisis if the government does not postpone or cancel the mandatory consolidation policy.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) Cebu chairman Greg Perez said the policy will have a negative impact on the livelihood of operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys who solely rely on their jeepneys as their source of income.
The franchise consolidation will affect 200 active members of PISTON Cebu and other jeepney operators and drivers.
"One of our calls is to cancel the policy," Perez stressed.
He added that if the government wants to pursue the modernization program, it should find a better way to implement it as the transition should be slow and no operator or driver would be left behind.
Earlier, Department of Transportation (DOTr) 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 fails to consolidate by December 31? Their franchise can no longer be extended. Meaning come January 1, they will no longer have a franchise and if they continue operating, then, yes, they will already be considered as colorum," he insisted.
Through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), a simplified requirement has been set. This includes the vehicle's Official Receipt / Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) and a petition. Then, the minimum number of cooperative members was cut down to 10 from 15.
"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 Dec. 31 to modernize, come Jan. 1 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.