By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) Secretary-General Diego Malacad said the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center will lead a transport forum this afternoon opposing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization act.
The forum, he explained, will be attended by members of the transport sector, the business sector, lay leaders, along with representatives of private schools in Bacolod City to finalize plans for a prayer vigil.
He noted, the vigil will depend on whether or not DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade signs the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which includes a phase out of jeepneys that are at least 15 years old.
“I got information that the signing of the guidelines is set for today,” said the transport leader. “If the signing pushes through, we will immediately start the prayer vigil.”
He said they will also finalize plans for a temporary restraining order during today’s forum.
Some local transport groups and their allies, including the Diocesan Social Action Center, oppose the government’s transportation modernization program on the lack of alternatives and potential unemployment, as drivers would not be able to acquire new vehicles based on new DOTr standards.
However, a loan facility has already been prepared to provide credit to individual drivers and operators to replace old jeepney units. The DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Finance (DOF), and Land Bank of the Philippines have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the financing program.
With an initial budget of P1 billion, the program will be used for loans given to 650 public utility jeepney operators or drivers in Metro Manila.
The loan will allow them to avail of a jeepney with a minimum requirement of a Euro-4 engine./WDJ