93% of transport utilities in CVisayas consolidated

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CEBU CITY — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) reported that 93 percent of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the region have been consolidated under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

As of Monday, operators in Central Visayas have consolidated 11,452 public utility vehicles (PUVs) out of 12,086 units that received a Notice of Acceptance from LTFRB-7.

Only 635 vehicles remain unconsolidated, indicating high compliance with the modernization program.

Edwin Antepuesto, acting chief transportation development officer of LTFRB-7, told The Manila Times that the high consolidation rate in Central Visayas can be attributed to the compliance of jeepney drivers and operators with the consolidation requirement.

He explained that the small percentage of unconsolidated vehicles consists not only of those who reject the modernization program but also of operators who chose not to continue their franchise due to financial struggles caused by the pandemic or because their vehicles were already dilapidated and unfit for operation.

Central Visayas vs NCR

Compared to the National Capital Region, Central Visayas has shown better compliance with the modernization program.

Antepuesto said that while other regions, particularly Metro Manila, have experienced significant resistance and protests from transport groups, operators in Central Visayas have demonstrated a higher willingness to comply with consolidation requirements.

Among the 10,274 jeepney units eligible for consolidation in the region, 9,572 Class 2 PUJs were consolidated, leaving only 634 unconsolidated units.

The remaining 68 Class 3 PUJs have all been consolidated, achieving a 100-percent compliance rate for that category.

Aside from jeepneys, other public transport sectors in the region have also completed the consolidation process. The UV Express sector has consolidated all 785 Class 3 units, while 742 public utility buses and 285 minibuses have also fully complied.

Application for MPUJ

While consolidation remains high, the transition to modernized vehicles is ongoing. Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives president Ellen Maghanoy confirmed that 1,600 modern jeepneys are currently plying here, with 1,100 of these units under the federation.

Modernized units continue to enter the region's transport system, with 1,160 modern jeepneys now servicing routes, along with 68 modern Class 3 PUJs, 54 modern buses and one modern UV Express unit.

Meanwhile, traditional jeepneys still operate in significant numbers, with 8,424 units on the road, alongside 693 traditional buses and 285 traditional minibuses.

Challenges and resistance

Operators and drivers have repeatedly raised concerns over the cost of modern vehicles, which range between P2.4 million and P2.8 million per unit.

While the government provides loan assistance through the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines, many transport cooperatives and small-scale operators find it difficult to secure financing and meet repayment terms.

This financial burden has led to numerous protests and transport strikes, particularly in Metro Manila, where some operators continue to demand the abolition or major revisions of the modernization program.

Modernization program

The PUVMP was introduced in 2017 as part of the government's push to improve the country's public transportation system.

It aimed to phase out old jeepneys and other outdated public transport units in favor of vehicles that meet Euro 4 emission standards or are powered by electric engines.

During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the government suspended some modernization requirements, further delaying its full implementation.

By 2023, the Department of Transportation rebranded the PUVMP as the PTMP, emphasizing a broader approach to reforming the entire public transport sector beyond just jeepneys.