THE LAND Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) XI said they have already consolidated 91% of the routes and 92% of the public utility jeepney (PUJ) units in Davao Region, as part of the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Project (PTMP).
In an interview, Atty. Ernest Nez Davila, LTFRB XI legal officer, said PTMP is only applicable for routes outside of Davao City.
“We have already set the deadline for the consolidation which is last April 30, 2024. So far we haven’t received any directives yet from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and from the President for the extension,” Davila said.
Last Jan. 2024, LTFRB XI revealed that heeded the order from the Central Office extending the consolidation deadline to April 30, which is originally on Dec. 31, 2023.
Davila noted that they already launched 76 units, mostly in Davao del Sur where the majority of cooperatives decided to modernize.
“Hopefully, in the coming months, we will be able to launch another set of modernized units in Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and other provinces here in Davao Region,” he said.
The consolidation requires PUV operators to form cooperatives or corporations to avail of financial assistance to acquire modernized jeepney units, as part of the PUV modernization program.
He also clarified that the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Program belonged to another separate program of the government, which excluded them from the Apr. 30 consolidation deadline.
“We do have a separate program for that, still with the DOTr in collaboration with the City Government of Davao,” he added.
