The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Office 9 has reiterated its appeal to all Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators in Zamboanga City to register for the modernization program, stressing that the program’s consolidation will end on Dec. 31, this year.
LTFRB9 Chief Transport Development Officer Eddie Puy made the appeal during the press briefing in City Hall Tuesday, June 20, saying that of the 2,239 PUV units in the city only 70% has been registered for the modernization program.
He explained that under the PUVMP, the operator has to register with or join in any juridical entity, either a cooperative or corporation.
Puy said the agency is also waiting for the ordinance from the City Council.
Earlier on, the LTFRB has clarified that the end-of-the-year deadline it set for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is for the program’s consolidation and not for the phaseout of traditional jeepney units.
The agency was urging the drivers/operators to come together, consolidate as one, and start the formation as a cooperative in pursuit of the modernization.
After the consolidation, Puy said the other stages of the PUVMP scheme would follow.
The LTFRB has also announced that it will be issuing a certification to those who are interested in shifting to modern public utility vehicles for them to avail of loan programs from Government Financial Institutions (GFIs).
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III has said the certification will serve as an alternative document for cooperatives and corporations which have been complaining of difficulty in availing loans from GFIs like the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
(Vic Larato)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook Page, photo courtesy of Kathy Wee Sit)