The government should not make life more difficult for struggling public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators who want to participate in the PUV modernization program.
Rep. Wilbert T. Lee of AGRI Party-list as thus urged the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and other government financial institutions to simplify and streamline the “overwhelming” loan requirements for transport cooperatives and corporations to purchase modern jeepneys.
Lee lamented the cumbersome documents and papers required by government banks to provide loans or assistance to transport cooperatives.
Lee reiterated that “the government must not burden the PUV drivers and operators in accessing loans to buy modern jeepneys.”
“Let us liberalize and simplify these requirements,” Lee stressed.
During the recent plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Lee asked the LTFRB to work hand-in-hand with his office to compel the Land Bank, DBP and other government financial institutions to expedite the process of providing loans for modern jeepneys, to which the latter committed to him and other House Members.
Lee said that a jeepney driver or operator who earns about P500 to P750 a day cannot afford to buy a modern jeepney worth more than P2 million.
“We must keep in mind that the transport sector is not only a public service but most importantly, a source of livelihood…,” he said.
Aside from streamlining the requirements for said loan, Lee also pushed for allocating P1.8 billion for the PUV modernization program which got zero funding for 2024.
“We need to understand na holistic at comprehensive itong modernization program. It does not end in just consolidating or buying new public utility vehicles or units,” Lee explained.