The public utility vehicles (PUVs) consolidation rate in Davao Region is now at 86 percent under the component of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), according to an official.
Engineer Ronnel Victor Panigon, head for Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board-Davao (LTFRB-Davao), reported on Friday that with regards to the industry consolidation, for PUJ the consolidated rate is at 83 percent of the units while for the UV express 89 percent of the units are now consolidated.
“In total, we have 86 percent consolidated units under the industry consolidation of the component of the PUVMP,” he said during the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC Victoria Plaza on Friday.
Panigon also said that LTFRB-Davao is currently at a 100 percent submission rate and operating 73 modernized public utility vehicle units in the Davao Region.
“The data that we have is based on the applications for consolidations received from the individual operators. Based lang sa mga nag file ng consolidations sa aming office,” he said.
The government imposed a December 31 deadline last year for PUVs to consolidate, but agencies gave breathing space for unconsolidated PUVs to continue operating along specific routes to prevent a transportation crisis this year.
Panigon said after the December 31 deadline, the board issued Memorandum Circular No. 2023 -052 categorizing those routes with 60 percent and above consolidation rate and those routes with less than 60 percent industry consolidation rate.
“For the 60 percent and above consolidation rate nakabutang diri na ma-revoke na ang provisional authorities sa mga individual operators nga wala nagconsolidate and for those na less than 60 percent ang industry consolidation rate mao ni ang mga ruta nga less than 60 percent and ilahang consolidation rate. Naa’y provision under this MC that the board may issue a special permit to other consolidated transport service entities to operate on the routes na 60 percent consolidation rate valid for three months,” he added.
Panigon explained that those consolidated units are in the process of acquiring modernized PUV units through a loan program of a government financial institution.
“They are still complying and still waiting na mugawas ang ilahang modernized units,” he said.
Currently, Davao del Sur has 73 modernized units units while Davao del Norte has zero units.
“But we are hoping to launch in Davao del Norte this quarter of the year,” he said.
Panigon believed that the board would implement additional guidelines after January 31, 2024.
He said after January, operating as a PUV without authority from the board will be considered as a colorum violation.
There are two modernization programs applicable in the Davao Region: the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, which is applicable only for PUJ routes within Davao City, and the PUVMP, which is applicable for PUJ and UV routes outside Davao City.
Lawyer Ernest Davila, officer-in-charge and chief of the Transportation Development Office of LTFRB-Davao, said the board issued a Board Resolution No. 1 series of 2023 that for routes that will be affected by the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, the provisional authorities issued to these PUJs shall continued to be valid until the deployment of bus units under the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.
