CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) -- The Office of the Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) continues to encourage operators and drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to consolidate as the extended deadline set for them to join cooperatives draws near.

Data from the OTC showed that nearly 80 percent of public transport operators and drivers in the CALABARZON region has consolidated in time for the extension set on Jan. 31 to join cooperatives or corporations for easier acquisition of modernized PUVs.

Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), jeepneys that are 15 or more years old are required to be replaced with newer and cleaner units and for operators to consolidate into a cooperative to enhance efficiency in public transportation routes, ultimately benefiting passengers.

Ramil Henderson Urrera, OTC Board Secretary, explained that drivers who join a cooperative are entitled to a monthly salary and various benefits such as SSS, Philhealth, and PAG-IBIG. 

“A driver has also a capital share – whatever the cooperative earns, a driver has a share,” he said during the Usapang PIA program organized by the Philippine Information Agency Laguna.

The OTC emphasized its commitment to supporting all drivers and operators who join cooperatives ensuring that "no drivers and operators will be left behind."

Celino Geronimo, OTC Admin Officer, clarified that drivers who missed the December 31, 2023 deadline for consolidation can still apply to be drivers for transport cooperatives with new public transportation units. They can also avail themselves of the government's social support initiatives such as "Tsuperskolar" and "Tsupermove".

Edgar Malinao, a jeepney driver from Alaminos, Laguna and a cooperative member, expressed his support for the program due to expected benefits. 

He stated that he appreciates receiving a fixed salary and not having to worry about income on a daily basis like before.

Malinao also noted the importance of the modernization program in making the country's transport system competitive with that of other nations. He believes it is crucial to replace old and unsafe jeepneys.

“We also need to keep up with the transportation of other countries so that we can develop because there are also jeepneys that are too old and dangerous to use.”

OTC Chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega reassured the public that the PUVMP will continue to be implemented with next phases of the program focused on benefiting commuters.

“There is a very tight deadline. We cannot extend the deadline because we are moving forward with the next phase of the program, which will benefit everyone, especially commuters, as this program promised,” Ortega said. (AM/PIA-4A)
 
Usapang PIA is a weekly radio program hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Laguna. It is broadcasted every Friday, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am on DZJV 1458 kHz Radyo Calabarzon and streamed live on the Philippine Information Agency CALABARZON and PIA Laguna Facebook pages.