Drivers hit hardest by PUVMP can expect aid
PUBLIC utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers who will be badly affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will get government assistance, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Requests for assistance will be responded to immediately,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Saturday, clarifying that requests are subject to evaluation.
“Again, [they are] subject to the assessment of our social workers so that we can ascertain the appropriate help or interventions that should be given to them,” she said.
Dumlao added that DSWD may provide food or financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) or livelihood programs under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) — as long as they meet the criteria for the two programs.
“If they meet the eligibility requirements under our SLP, they are in our [Listahanan], or they are among the members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), then they are our priority to be given help under the SLP,” Dumlao said.
AICS is one of the DSWD’s programs offering a stopgap solution, urgent and temporary assistance to people and families in crisis based on social workers’ assessments.
Meanwhile, the SLP is a community-based capacity-building program that aims to enhance program members’ socioeconomic positions.
On the other hand, the PUVMP intends to replace outdated PUVs, particularly PUJs, with modern units.
The government also requires jeepneys and UV Express operators to sign up with or join a cooperative or corporation in order to operate.
Deadline to consolidate has been extended multiple times, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “final” postponement lasting until April 30.
PUVMP scrutiny
Sen. Grace Poe on Saturday said that transportation officials should be ready to face scrutiny over PUVMP’s possible impact, including utilizing the P200-million fund for drivers’ livelihood assistance.
She said, “The consolidation deadline is not the end of the road for raising our concerns about jeepney modernization. As the head of the Senate Committee on Public Services, I will personally oversee its implementation.”
Moreover, she said she has asked the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to submit comprehensive data on the status and revised timeline of the PUVMP and its components, updated statistics on the consolidation of jeepneys, the number of routes being serviced, affected routes, and contingency plans to shield commuters from the possible adverse impact of the program.
Poe also sought the DoTr’s plan for the drivers who lost their livelihood and the status of the implementation of assistance for them, including the Entrepreneur and Tsuper Iskolar Programs.
Poe urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to set up help desks nationwide to assist jeepney drivers and operators who still need to join the program.
“The LTFRB should set up help desks in areas they can reach so that our drivers can sign up there for any possible help from the government, because there seems to be a disconnect or a misunderstanding as the program is unclear,” she said.
Poe said she has consistently questioned the PUVMP, including the route rationalization plan, subsidies and alternative livelihood.
“What I’ve been telling the DoTr is that they should submit it before they implement the program and do it. But what’s sad about this, until now, they still haven’t fulfilled it,” she said.
“Until now, I’m still fighting for increasing government subsidies. Secondly, I hope the vehicles are cheaper and made here in the Philippines. Thirdly, I hope you are given a proper fund so that those who can’t consolidate will have an alternative livelihood program,” she added.
Poe also said she would inquire about the fund utilization of past training programs for drivers amid reports that millions of pesos were unused.
“What we can do now is to call the DoTr often, and maybe in the next budget, we will hammer and charge them for what they have not done,” Poe said.