00:00The PUV Modernization Program started in 2017, but the deadline for consolidation has been extended seven times.
00:14And even after the deadline is over, it is still hard to finish the program.
00:18The challenges and burdens associated with the program, let's answer to GMA Integrated News Explainer, Maris Umali.
00:27After World War II, the Americans still have a lot of time.
00:33The roads are still like jeepneys.
00:35The design of the jeeps has not changed since then.
00:41That's why in 2017, the Department of Transportation started the PUV Modernization Program or PUVMP.
00:49Aside from the PUV or Public Transport Modernization Program,
00:53the old jeeps have been replaced by vehicles that have a Euro 4 compliant engine.
00:59To reduce pollution, it is also possible to replace the units that are no longer roadworthy.
01:05The jeepney operators are consolidated or combined to form cooperatives or corporations to allow for mass production.
01:15Aside from spending on the purchase of modern jeeps,
01:17the operators and transport groups have also encouraged the loss of their franchise when it is time for them to consolidate.
01:26But based on the data collected by GMA Integrated News Research,
01:30the deadline for consolidation, which was originally extended on June 30, 2020,
01:35has been extended seven times.
01:37The latest deadline is April 30 of this year.
01:42According to the Department of Transportation,
01:4485 percent of the PUVs have been consolidated across the country.
01:48We are doing this to have the right fleet management, the right dispatch system,
01:54so that they will not steal from passengers,
01:58so that their operations will be good and the traffic will be reduced.
02:03Because if they are not consolidated, they will do it on their own.
02:10But until now, there are still those who are against it.
02:13We are not afraid to fight.
02:16We want to show them that we will not lose hope
02:21because of the livelihood and prosperity of our families that we are fighting here.
02:26They were able to get allies in the Senate of 22 out of 23 senators
02:31to sign the proposed Senate Resolution 1096,
02:34which urges the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program,
02:40which is called the Public Transport Modernization Program.
02:43It is clear from the Senate Resolution
02:47that the implementation of the PUVMP Program is suspended
02:51for those who do not comply with the drivers and operators.
02:55But President Bombo Marcos himself is the one who continues to oppose
02:59the PUV Modernization Program despite the resolution of the Senate to suspend it first.
03:04I disagree with them because they are saying that it is too fast.
03:07This has been postponed seven times.
03:10The modernization has been postponed for seven times.
03:14And those that have been objecting or have been crying out and asking for suspension
03:21are in the minority.
03:23So let's listen to the majority.
03:25And the majority is saying, let's continue.
03:28Those who are able to consolidate, the problem is buying a modern jeep,
03:31which costs more than 2 million pesos each.
03:36That is why the drivers of the Tandang Sora Jeep of Co-operative and Ayala Transport Co-op
03:40here at Tandang Sora Terminal,
03:42which is still a traditional jeep, are still being postponed.
03:45Even in 2022, they were able to consolidate.
03:48The problem now is that we can't afford the so-called modern jeep.
03:57It is too expensive and our bond is too small.
04:01How can we afford the 2.7 million modern jeep of our government?
04:06What will we lose?
04:08That is the biggest fear of our drivers and operators.
04:12When the time comes, we will really stop.
04:15According to the DOTR,
04:17it is now time for the local public transport route planning to establish routes
04:22and they will require that their old jeeps be replaced with modern jeeps.
04:27And because the study that is required for this will take 3 to 5 years
04:32before the full implementation of the modernization program.
04:35For GMI Integrated News, I'm Maris Umali for 24 Hours.
04:56For GMI Integrated News, I'm Maris Umali for 24 Hours.
