ILOILO City – In a direct challenge to the national government’s Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP), the No to PUV Phaseout Coalition, consisting of individual operators and drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), is organizing a protest caravan here.
Set to take place this Monday morning, the protest is a concerted effort by the coalition against traditional jeepney phaseout. It is also a call for the suspension and review of the city government’s enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
Elmer Forro, lead convenor of the coalition, emphasized that the protest is open to anyone opposing the PUV phaseout.
He also highlighted the need for a thorough review of the LPTRP.
The caravan is expected to start at 9 a.m. in Barangay Tagbac, Jaro district, and will proceed through the main streets of Iloilo City, culminating in a gathering in front of the Iloilo provincial capitol for a short program at 11 a.m.
Forro also pointed out the significant repercussions of the modernization program on the livelihood of jeepney drivers and operators, particularly those who have not consolidated their operations.
He cited data indicating that out of approximately 2,500 jeepney units in the city, only 1,700 are consolidated.
The No to PUV Phaseout Coalition’s protest underscores the broader concerns of the region’s transport sector over the modernization program’s impact on both drivers’ livelihoods and commuter fares.
Forro pointed out an ongoing inquiry by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation, examining the status of the modernization program’s implementation.
During the inquiry, lawmakers, including Cong. Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa, Laguna, expressed openness to passing a resolution recommending that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reschedule the Jan. 31, 2024 deadline for unconsolidated public utility vehicles to continue operating.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 reported that as of the Dec. 31, 2023, consolidation deadline, the region had 8,534 traditional PUJs, with 5,778 (68%) consolidated and 2,756 (32%) unconsolidated.
Here’s a breakdown of consolidated and unconsolidated units across provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region
* Iloilo City – Out of 2,266 total units, 1,692 are consolidated, and 574 remain unconsolidated.
* Bacolod City – Of the 2,313 total units, 566 are consolidated, and 1,747 are unconsolidated.
* Iloilo Province – has 1,978 total units, with 1,911 consolidated and 67 unconsolidated
* Aklan – with 472 total units, 419 are consolidated, and 53 are unconsolidated
* Capiz – Out of 482 total units, 395 are consolidated, and 87 remain unconsolidated
* Antique – has 390 total units, with 361 consolidated and 29 unconsolidated
* Negros Occidental – Of the 465 total units, 276 are consolidated, and 189 are unconsolidated
* Guimaras – with 168 total units, 158 are consolidated, and 10 are unconsolidated/PN
