President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to April 30, 2024, following a recommendation from Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista. The extension, announced by Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, aims to accommodate operators and drivers who intend to consolidate but missed the initial deadline.
Previously, President Marcos had declined to extend the December 31, 2023, deadline. However, with only 76% of PUVs and utility vehicle (UV) express units consolidated, the extension provides additional time for unconsolidated jeepneys and those in areas without cooperatives to comply. Under the government’s PUV Modernization Program, operators and drivers are being organized into cooperatives or corporations to enhance operational efficiency and introduce a fleet with lower carbon emissions and improved safety.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz affirmed the Board’s adherence to President Marcos’s directive. Speaker Martin Romualdez also supported the decision, acknowledging its positive impact on the local transportation sector and the importance of preserving the cultural symbol of jeepneys.
The House Committee on Transportation has urged President Marcos to reconsider the lapsed deadline and develop a concrete plan for addressing major issues in the program’s implementation. The committee emphasizes the need for legal compliance and the protection of stakeholders and the public in the modernization process.