DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officials in Davao Region have assured stakeholders and public transport commuters of high-end public transport services with the full implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

As guests of the Philippine Information Agency-Davao del Norte’s Sayron Ta! Pakigsayod: Serbisyo Alang sa Katawhang Pilipino radio program, both LTFRB legal officer and OIC chief transportation development officer Ernest Benz S. Davila and LTFRB XI PUVMP Program head Ronnel Victor N. Panigon discussed how the public would enjoy the comfortable, accessible, sustainable, and safe “CASA'' experience when riding in PUVs.

Davila  cited such an objective as aligned with the mandate of LTFRB, and “this can be achieved through the transport modernization program,” which, he said, rolls out air-conditioned PUVs equipped with global positioning systems (GPS), closed-circuit television (CCTV), and wireless networking technology, or WiFi.

According to Davila, the modernized PUVs are also environment-friendly as they are mechanically designed with the so-called “Euro 4 diesel engine” that filters out contaminants, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical damage.

“If they choose to avail of the modernized units, naay subsidy nga ginahatag sa mga transport coops (there is a subsidy given to transport coops) to acquire the modernized units,” he added.

He explained that the consolidated transport coops or corporations can avail of loan subsidies either from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), or private financial institutions.

For purchases of Class 1 modernized PUVs, a P210,000 subsidy can be availed per unit, and for those classified as Class 2, 3, and 4, a separate P280,000 per unit can be availed from the government financial institutions.

“If they choose to avail from private banks and coop banks, P210,000 for Class 1 and P360,000 for Class 2, 3, and 4 per unit,” Panigon explained, adding that the subsidies would directly be deducted from the unit price of each unit of vehicle.

Aside from the GFIs, the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority provides the skills training needs of the spouses and the children of PUV drivers for them to get employed in the consolidated transport entities.

Other cooperating NGAs are the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Budget and Management, Land Transportation Office, and Securities and Exchange Commission, among others. (JMDA/PIA Davao del Norte/Thumbnail photo from PNA)