VARIOUS Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers in Cebu City claim that they have “no choice” but to bear with the government-proposed PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) in order to sustain livelihood.
Laurencia Colon, 46, PUJ operator for almost eight years, said that though she feared that she will be at the disadvantage with the new transport system, she is left with no choice but to abide for her to continue her family's business.
“It's sad. It's very sad that we are not allowed not to avail of the program. Right now, my business is already established. Maka assure jud ko sa kita. Now, I'm worried that this initiative of the government would just affect our income. It's even the first time that I attended a forum like this because previously I'm really against it,” she said in Cebuano.
“Musunod nalang ko nila. Wala naman mi mahimo ana. Kung akong I-estambay sa shop sa amo ang mga karaang units, sayang man sab. Dawat nalang sa subsidy nga P80,000,” she added.
On the other hand, Chamel Jayson, 41, jeepney driver for 21 years, said he slowly is accepting the new transport concept.
“Sauna kaingon ko nga unsaon nalang ng atong mga unit, pero kato kay wa pa man ko kasabot sa programa. Karon mas nindot siguro kay wa na'y snatcher ana. Pero ambot stable ba kaha na nga income most especially nga bag-o na nga unit,” he said.
“Okay ra man na. Wa man tay mahimo kay mao naman na'y ila karon. Wa man sab kay mabuhat kung di ka musunod,” Vitaliano Solano Jr., 61, taxi operator for almost 30 years, added.
Around 130 PUV drivers and operators attended the Cebu People's Multi-Purpose Cooperative's forum on PUV modernization program on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Cebu Business Hotel.
Invited to speak during the forum were representatives from the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and from the Department of Transportation (DOTr.)
The LTFRB launched PUVMP or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance on 2017.
Under this program, old model of jeepneys aged 15 years or older will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-run jeepneys to promote 'safer and more comfortable' transport options.
Owners of the old jeepney units will receive P80,000 subsidy from the government in exchange of the unit and only if its owners will not register them as a privately-owned vehicle.
Eugen Pabualan, Executive Director of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (attached agency of DOTr) then clarified that the PUVMP does not only seek to provide new PUV units, but as well as provide new and efficient transportation system.
“It's really high time for us to adopt. Dili lang pasabot ani mag change og unit, but also mag change og system,” he said.
According to LTFRB 7 Transportation Inspector Victor Cosep, among the salient components of the program is the fleet modernization.
“Before, most of the drivers that we have talked to complains that igo ra g'yod sa maintenance ilang kita sa pagpamasada. Under this system ma eradicate na nato. The cooperative will be the one to handle the acquisition, management, maintenance, and repairs of the unit,” he said.
Other features of this modern PUVs include Automated Fare Collection System, air-conditioned units, closed-circuit television (CCTV,) Globe Positioning System (GPS), and dashboard camera. (Wenilyn B. Sabalo, USJ-R Intern)