Senator Grace Poe has expressed disappointment over the unrealized plans and promises under the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, which has been introduced seven years ago.
She cited the high cost of modern jeepneys, lack of route plans, and inadequate safety nets as reasons for the uncertainties faced by thousands of drivers and hardship for commuters.
Poe earlier filed Senate Bill No. 105, calling for a “just and humane” PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), including transitory assistance and services rendered to operators, drivers, and other stakeholders.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced that starting May 1, 2024, unconsolidated jeepneys would no longer be allowed to ply their routes and risk being impounded.
Poe asked concerned transportation agencies about their plans for the 36,217 PUVs that did not join cooperatives, stating that they are prevented from engaging in their primary source of livelihood. The senator also criticized the DOTr for the program’s poor budget utilization rate of only 53% of its P7.5 billion budget from 2018 to 2024.
