ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 26 (PIA) – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Office 9 (LTFB-9 reiterates 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.
While the PUV operators gradually transitions to modern transportation in support to Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) ways to address transport-related problems, there are still some operators and drivers that are not registered for the modernization.
LTFRB-9 reported 2,239 PUV units in the city or only 70% has been registered for the modernization program. LTFRB9 Chief Transport Development Officer Eddie Puy made the appeal during the press briefing and explained that under the PUV Modernization Program, the operator has to register with or join in any juridical entity, either a cooperative or corporation.
Further, the LTFRB has clarified that the end-of-the-year deadline it set for the PUV Modernization Program 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, other steps will follow and the agency will continue to assists the operators and drivers of PUVs in the region through providing them programs specifically lending programs to financially support them in the transition.
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). The certification will serve as an alternative document for cooperatives and corporations in availing loans from GFIs like the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) for the PUV Modernization Program. (NBE/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City/with reports from Zamboanga City-PIO)
