Transport group cries foul over modernization

A TRANSPORT organization in Baguio City expressed opposition to the public transport modernization, which has started in the city.

The Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators na tutol sa Phase-out (Stop) said the phasing out of jeepneys and the consolidation of franchises will entail additional cost and expense to the drivers and operators.

The group added that transport cooperatives are considered capitalist, which has the ability to step over other jeepney operators and drivers association in the city.

Norma Sabelo, board member of the transport association of Fairview, said that way back in 2015, they were already told to spruce their jeeps.

"We did, others even changed their units to which up to this time, they have still to recover from the expenses incurred and now here comes these mini buses which has difficulty in climbing steep routes," Sabelo said.

Stop believes that despite the pronouncement of the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that the consolidated franchise and the establishment of its own cooperatives will assure the payment for each unit, this is just a way on how jeepney operators and drivers are being killed softly due to the payments to be incurred.

"Another requirement which we abided with is the establishment of our own parking. Once this consolidation of franchise and the establishment of our cooperative comes in, we will have to rent for our parking. For what reason should we join the consolidation of franchise and become a cooperative when we are still recovering from the expenses we incurred in fixing our jeepney units," Sabelo added.

Stop also said that based on the consolidation of franchises, individual vehicle franchises will be surrendered while the maintenance and payment of the loan for the unit would be shouldered by individual operators having no franchises that have been transferred to the transport cooperatives.

On June 19, 2017, the Department of Transportation issued Department Order 2017-011 (Re: Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance) or the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), a flagship program of the Duterte administration that envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.