MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Around 75.56 percent of public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators in Ilocos Region is already consolidated into cooperatives or corporations, an executive of the regional Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Wednesday.
Lawyer Mark Anthony Espenilla, LTFRB Ilocos regional office representative, during the forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Ilocos Region, said the compliant stakeholders reached 4,609 of the total 6,100 operators.
"So far with the consolidation rate, we can say that there is high acceptance of the program in the region," he said.
The number does not include those who filed their application for consolidation on Dec. 30 and 31, 2023, a weekend and declared holidays, he added.
Espenilla said among the reasons for the non-compliance of other PUJ operators are business decisions, conflict within the cooperative due to several factors like alleged high membership fee and operators’ wanting to have control of their personal income.
Other players believe that cost of modernized jeepney is high but Espenilla said there are financing aids available to the cooperatives.
Espenilla said the Office of the Transport Cooperative also vowed to hire or prioritize the employment of PUV drivers who will be affected by non-consolidation of their operators.
The PUV modernization program aims to make public transport system in the country more dignified, humane and at par with global standards.
It also aims to give Filipinos a comfortable life by providing a safer, more efficient, reliable, convenient, affordable, climate-friendly and environmentally-sustainable transportation system. (PNA)
