LTFRB Mulls Postponement of PUV Modernization Program; DOTr Opposes Action

So, which side are you on? Team LTFRB or Team DOTr?

Here's one thing we know for sure:  Senator Grace Poe is with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), because she's the one who made the announcement for LTFRB Chairman, Martin Delgra.

"'Yun ang sinabi ni Chairman Delgra ngayon, na talagang hindi pa handa ang gobyerno na i-phaseout 'yan. So in principle, sinabi na niya na hindi puwede o hindi pa dapat maging total phaseout pagdating ng Marso (That's what Delgra said today. The government is not ready for the phaseout. So in principle, he said they cannot implement a total phaseout in March)," Poe said, according to Inquirer.net.

Senator Poe, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Works, also backed up Chairman Delgra's belief.

"Ang malinaw, ang gobyerno ay hindi pa handa na i-phaseout ang lahat ng mga public utility vehicles na non-compliant doon sa modernization requirement nila dahil hindi nga malinaw kung ano ang mga requirements nila (What is clear is that the government is not yet ready to phase out all public utility vehicles that are non-compliant with the modernization program requirements. The requirements are also not clear to the public)," Poe told reporters.

She also expressed her disapproval with how the government is favoring big corporations over small drivers and businesses when handing out the  franchises.

DOTr Continues to Push for PUV Modernization

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told members of government to "have political will," and insisted on continuing with the program as written in a separate report on Inquirer.net:

"We shall continue with the PUV Modernization Program," he said.

This came following Senator Grace Poe's announcement that the (LTFRB) had postponed the phase-out for March 2019.

So, allow us to ask you again: Which side are you on? Team LTFRB or Team DOTr? 

Let the battle begin.