Chiz to relay jeepney operators' fears to transport chief | ABS-CBN
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Chiz to relay jeepney operators' fears to transport chief
Chiz to relay jeepney operators' fears to transport chief
RG Cruz,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 14, 2024 06:25 PM PHT
MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday said he will meet with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to relay concerns about the government's public utility vehicle modernization program including proper financing to purchase new jeepney units.
MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday said he will meet with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to relay concerns about the government's public utility vehicle modernization program including proper financing to purchase new jeepney units.
This, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected a Senate proposal to suspend the program due to insufficiency of the government's information drive and the financial burden of procuring new jeepneys.
This, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected a Senate proposal to suspend the program due to insufficiency of the government's information drive and the financial burden of procuring new jeepneys.
Majority of senators earlier backed Senate Resolution 1096 seeking to suspend the program to iron out several concerns including consolidation of jeepney units that failed to meet the April 30, 2024 deadline and local governments' failure to approve public transport route plans.
Majority of senators earlier backed Senate Resolution 1096 seeking to suspend the program to iron out several concerns including consolidation of jeepney units that failed to meet the April 30, 2024 deadline and local governments' failure to approve public transport route plans.
Escudero said the Senate resolution would have benefited those who missed the April 30 consolidation deadline.
Escudero said the Senate resolution would have benefited those who missed the April 30 consolidation deadline.
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“Sinabi ko nga sa kanila, ang layunin nga namin ipagpaliban ito sa mga hindi pa handa, sa mga di pa tapos 'yung route plan, sa mga di pa nakukumbinse ng gubyerno. Di nila dapat i-pagbawal o i-deklarang colorum itong mga rotang ito na di pa nag-cocomply,” he said after meeting with transport groups.
“Sinabi ko nga sa kanila, ang layunin nga namin ipagpaliban ito sa mga hindi pa handa, sa mga di pa tapos 'yung route plan, sa mga di pa nakukumbinse ng gubyerno. Di nila dapat i-pagbawal o i-deklarang colorum itong mga rotang ito na di pa nag-cocomply,” he said after meeting with transport groups.
Present in the meeting were the representatives of the groups BUSSINA, Uv Coop, Pasang Masda, LTOP, ACTO, FEJODAP, ALTODAP, and Stop and Go.
Present in the meeting were the representatives of the groups BUSSINA, Uv Coop, Pasang Masda, LTOP, ACTO, FEJODAP, ALTODAP, and Stop and Go.
The Senate chief noted the government should convince jeepney operators who have not consolidated their franchises under a transport cooperative to get with the program instead of losing patience and banning them outright.
The Senate chief noted the government should convince jeepney operators who have not consolidated their franchises under a transport cooperative to get with the program instead of losing patience and banning them outright.
The DOTr has also yet to finalize a price for old, unconsolidated jeepneys that will be bought by government, which operators can then use as downpayment for new jeepney units.
The DOTr has also yet to finalize a price for old, unconsolidated jeepneys that will be bought by government, which operators can then use as downpayment for new jeepney units.
Escudero said finalization of route plans and approval of a fare matrix would show if jeepney operators would be able to pay for the new units based on their earnings.
Escudero said finalization of route plans and approval of a fare matrix would show if jeepney operators would be able to pay for the new units based on their earnings.
"Di pa nila lubusang kino-consolidate 'yung route plan kaugnay sa pamasaheng sinisingil sang-ayon sa [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] para tiyakin na 'yung bayarin nila sa inorder nilang modernized jeep ay matutususan nila base doon sa rota at base doon sa pinayagan nilang pamasahe doon sa rota," he said.
"Di pa nila lubusang kino-consolidate 'yung route plan kaugnay sa pamasaheng sinisingil sang-ayon sa [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] para tiyakin na 'yung bayarin nila sa inorder nilang modernized jeep ay matutususan nila base doon sa rota at base doon sa pinayagan nilang pamasahe doon sa rota," he said.
He added: "Iyung paghahanap ng sapat at tamang financing mula sa government o private bank man para maging abot kaya 'yung buwanang hulog nila na sa ilang pagkakataon ay hindi makatotohanan at sobrang bigat ika nga sa bulsa."
He added: "Iyung paghahanap ng sapat at tamang financing mula sa government o private bank man para maging abot kaya 'yung buwanang hulog nila na sa ilang pagkakataon ay hindi makatotohanan at sobrang bigat ika nga sa bulsa."
He said he will also meet with transport groups who are holding a transport strike.
He said he will also meet with transport groups who are holding a transport strike.
Escudero said the Senate is not against modernization only that it should be done properly and with enough assistance to those covered.
Escudero said the Senate is not against modernization only that it should be done properly and with enough assistance to those covered.
"Maliwanag sa posisyon ng Senado di kami tutol sa modernisasyon. Ito'y dapat gawin lang ng tama, maayos at nang may sapat na tulong sa bawat na grupo na nag-consolidate - tsuper at operator. 'Yun yung dahilan ng mahaba naming usapan kanina dahil nga di naman perpekto 'yung programa," he said.
"Maliwanag sa posisyon ng Senado di kami tutol sa modernisasyon. Ito'y dapat gawin lang ng tama, maayos at nang may sapat na tulong sa bawat na grupo na nag-consolidate - tsuper at operator. 'Yun yung dahilan ng mahaba naming usapan kanina dahil nga di naman perpekto 'yung programa," he said.
"Sila'y sumunod sa gobyerno, sumang-ayon sa patakaran ng gobyerno pero marami pa ring pagkukulang na dapat punuan, bagay na tatalakayin ko rin kay Secretary Bautista sa lalong madaling panahon,” he added.
"Sila'y sumunod sa gobyerno, sumang-ayon sa patakaran ng gobyerno pero marami pa ring pagkukulang na dapat punuan, bagay na tatalakayin ko rin kay Secretary Bautista sa lalong madaling panahon,” he added.
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