President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has extended the consolidation deadline for the public utility vehicle (PUV) franchise until April 30, 2024, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Wednesday, January 25.
In a brief press statement, PCO said Marcos approved the three-month extension recommended by Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista.
"This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cut-off," it added.
Meanwhile, the Land Transporation Board Secretary Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz said they would adhere to the President's directive to extend the PUV consolidation deadline.
"Operators and drivers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President," he said in a statement.
LTFRB Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III sa desisyon ni PBBM na palawigin ang PUV consolidation hanggang Abril 30: “Operators and drivers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President” | @dzrhnews https://t.co/cWhq4Md4gM pic.twitter.com/nbBdHP9Tqm
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) January 24, 2024
The PUV consolidation originally ended last December 2023. But nonetheless, the transportation department allowed non-consolidated jeepneys to ply routes until January 31, 2024.
Guadiz earlier assured that there would be no phaseout of traditional jeepneys due to the consolidation requirement under the PUV modernization program.
Transport officials had also debunked the claims that the jeepney fares would surge to P30 to P50 over five years.
