BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental supports the modernization of public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Lacson said he backs the government’s modernization bid despite today’s nationwide transport strike against the project.
“I think the issue here is really the cause of modernization of the jeeps. I am all for it, for the modernization,” said.
Lacson noted that a lot of passenger jeepneys, especially those in Metro Manila, are already old, thus the need to modernize PUVs.
He added though that support is needed to help drivers and operators invest in new jeepney units.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is tasked to implement the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) that aims to provide a reliable, safe, adequate, accessible, environment-friendly, efficient, and comfortable public transportation services.
In Negros Occidental, two major transport groups – Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros Inc. (SSTONE) and Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Associations Inc. (FEBACDA) – will join today’s nation-wide strike.
In a statement, both SSTONE and FEBACDA said that drivers and operators are not against the modernization itself, but the cost of Class 3 vehicles which is P2.4 million per unit.
They also claimed that the LTFRB wants to consolidate the franchises by way of forming corporations, adding that all cooperatives formed will ultimately be abolished and subsumed by these corporations.
Meanwhile, Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), the operator of Ceres buses, which provides majority of the bus transport service in Negros Occidental, is not participating in the transport strike.
Jesideth Marquez-Seballos, VTI legal and media relations manager, said the bus company has already completed the modernization of its fleet in 2014.
“We are compliant with all the policies set by the LTRFB,” she said. (With a report from PNA/PN)
