The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday, Dec. 6, remained firm on the December 31 deadline for consolidating Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers into cooperatives and corporations.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista noted that the consolidation would ensure effective and sustainable operations.

“Yung consolidation gagawin natin yan sa December 31 para mas maging efficient ang operations ng transport sector. Kasi kung mag-ooperate tayo individually, hindi masyadong magiging sustainable [ang operations],” Bautista said.

“Meron tayong tinatawag na just transition. Kasi kung gusto nila ay ibigay natin bago tayo magsimula [ng PUVMP], siguro hindi natin masisimulan ito,” he added, noting that roadworthy jeepneys will still be allowed to travel their routes.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza earlier stated that jeepneys should pass strict “roadworthiness” inspection measures to operate beyond the consolidation deadline.

Bautista said that the DOTr, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Office for Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) are open to receive applications on December 30 despite being a holiday.

“Mag-apply na po sila, bukas po ang mga opisina ng LTFRB, Office for Transportation Cooperatives hanggang December 30, kahit bakasyon yan tatanggapin namin ang kanilang application,” he said.

Transport groups have been rallying against the PUV Modernization Program since the consolidation requirement of organizing into a cooperative would strip small-time operators of their livelihood.