UNCONSOLIDATED jeepney operators will get another chance to join the government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In an interview on Friday, September 20, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said the agency is set to come out with a new resolution that will reopen the consolidation application process for those who failed to make the previous deadlines.
This development comes days after Guadiz and other transportation officials met with Senate President Francis Escudero, who was among the senators who called for the suspension of the PTMP until the concerns of stakeholders are addressed.
“Ang apprehension (ng senators) is ‘yung mga maiiwanan sa programa, kawawa naman sila, wala silang pang-hanapbuhay. Pero ang naging concession is bubuksan namin ulit… They cannot form a cooperative but they will be asked to join existing cooperatives,” said Guadiz.
“With this suggestion, and sumang-ayon naman po kami, I don’t think may dahilan pa ang senado para suspendihin po ‘yung programa,” he added.
According to Guadiz, the LTFRB is considering giving unconsolidated operators about 60 more days to comply.
He urged them to grab this opportunity instead of continuing with their protest.
“‘Pag hindi ka sumama sa programa ng gobyerno for industry consolidation, you will not be able to avail of the other programs. ‘Yung sa libreng sakay o service contracting… hindi ka rin makakakuha ng ayuda para sa fuel subsidy,” noted Guadiz.
Transport groups Piston and Manibela will again join forces for another two-day transport strike beginning today, September 23.
They made the announcement after marching to the LTFRB office in Quezon City on Friday morning, unfazed by the significant police presence by the gate.
Meanwhile, Guadiz said the Department of Transportation is also seeking the help of congress in increasing the budget for the PTMP, particularly the equity subsidy funds for cooperatives and corporations that will acquire modern jeepneys. (ABS-CBN News)
