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Tulfo: Provide aid, livelihood to displaced jeepney drivers

January 7, 2024 People's Journal 326 views

HOUSE Deputy Majority Floor Leader Cong. Erwin Tulfo has asked the government to provide aid and livelihood to jeepney drivers who will lose their jobs due to the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In a recent radio interview, Cong. Tulfo said several thousand of drivers will lose their income due to the said modernization program.

“Sa datos mismo ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), 75% lang ng mga jeepney operators ang nagparehistro para sa nasabing programa”, the ACT-CIS Representative said.

He added, “so, ilang libong jeepney drivers din ang mawawalan ng kita o hanap buhay. Nararapat lamang na may nakahandang ayuda o pangkabuhayan para sa kanila at this point”.

According to the lawmaker, he understands the government’s situation that it is necessary to phase out the old diesel engine jeeps and replace them with modern Euro4 compliant vehicles in order to reduce pollution.

He however said, “Hindi naman lahat ng operator kaya bumili ng P2 million na modern jeepney. Kaya dapat may naka-ready na financial assistance sa ilang libong jeepney drivers at pamilya nila sa panahon na ito.”

The lawmaker also expressed confidence that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are ready to assist these drivers.

It can be recalled that December 31, 2023 is the deadline for jeepney operators to register in the modernization program.

But some transport groups complained that the modern jeepneys being sold are too expensive or overpriced that even House Speaker Martin Romualdez wants to investigate the issue and put the implementation of the jeepney modernization program on hold.

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