Traditional jeepneys and UV Express vans will be able to operate beyond the original deadline of June 30, 2023, set by the Land Transportation & Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

This comes after LTFRB Chairman Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III announced that the June 30, 2023 deadline has been extended until December 31, 2023. Guadiz mentioned that the decision to extend the deadline came straight from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, as well as a statement from President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr.

The LTRB Chairman added that the extension of the deadline did not stem from pressure due to the upcoming transport strike that will run from March 6 until March 12 next week. As a reminder, several transport groups announced that they will be holding a nationwide, week-long strike in defiance of the LTFRB's original deadline to phase out old jeepneys and UV Express vans.

President Marcos said that while PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) is necessary, he also said that the implementation is not good and needs to be reviewed. Marcos added that he wishes for the government to talk with transport groups to discuss matters about the PUVMP.

“Ngayon, sa issue sa modernization na sinasabi, sa aking palagay, ay kailangan ding gawin talaga 'yan. Ngunit, sa pag-aaral ko, parang hindi naging maganda ang implementation nung modernization,” said Marcos.

[On the modernization issue, I think we still need to do that. But based on my studies, the implementation was not good]

The President added that they also need to look at the timetable and see when can the old jeepneys be actually replaced, as well as the costs needed to actually change from traditional to modern jeepney vehicles.

With the LTFRB moving the deadline anew, the question now is, will the week-long transport strike continue on March 6? That we'll have to find out once they make their announcements as well.

Source: GMA News

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