PUVMP to Push Thorugh, DOTr Clarifies

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) clarified that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is still a go. This after a social media posting claimed that the PUVMP of the government will not push through, even saying thay Senator Grace Poe was "happy" with such move. In a statement from Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran, the department that claimed that program will continue. "Ang sinabi lang namin, by July 2020, kung hindi pa sila [operators> nakakapag-modernize ng unit, (what we said was if that by July 2020, if the operators have not modernized their unit), we are considering na hindi sila automatic na i-phase out as long pumasa sila sa Motor Vehicle Inspection System." "However, kung pumasa man sila, we will grant them provisional authority (PA) that they will have to renew every year, as they need to undergo road worthiness check via MVIS every year as well," the statement claimed. "To clarify, we shall allow existing PUJs to serve the riding public after June 30, 2020, until the compliant substitute arrives, provided that: - the said units pass the computerized MVIS; - existing operators need to file petition for consolidation on or before 30 June 2020 and express their petition to modernize. -should the existing operators fail to file for consolidation by 30 June 2020, their route will be opened to all interested applicants, and the existing operators will no longer enjoy the prior operator rule. Only compliant units will be accepted when the routes are opened to new operator after June 2020, " the agency statement concluded. Relatedly, Japanese truckmaker Hino recently delivered the first batch of modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) to a transport cooperative in Metro Manila. Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses locally, recently turned over a total 24 modernized jeeps  to the  Novaliches-Malinta Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative (NMJTSC). To add to that, Hino will deliver its second batch of 29 PUV units to fulfill the cooperative’s requirement next month. By the end of the year, a total of 52 Hino PUVs will ply the Novaliches-Malinta route. Hino has already delivered almost 400 modern PUV units to various transport cooperatives nationwide since 2018. In the next few months, HMP is set to turn over 58 units of Class III PUVs and 72 Class II PUVs to various transport cooperatives in the country.