THE Commission on Human Rights believes the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program must not violate the human rights of any person.
“While we believe that modernization and development are legitimate government goals, they must be pursued without violating fundamental human rights,” it emphasized.
The CHR lamented that a vast majority of PUV operators “are from the vulnerable sector who would be compelled to adhere strictly to the rigid Jan. 31 consolidation deadline that may jeopardize their right to a sustainable livelihood.”
The PUVMP lays down the process for the mandatory consolidation of individual operators under transport cooperatives and corporations and the issuance of new franchises. It set a Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for them to consolidate into cooperatives, extended to the end of this month.
This developed as Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II directed regional directors and district office heads to intensify an information drive on the no-registration, no-travel policy to encourage more delinquent PUV owners to renew their vehicle registrations.
The information drive would complement the aggressive operations on the ground aimed at compelling vehicle owners to re-register, Mendoza said.
He explained that registration and renewal of registration is one of the best ways to check the road worthiness of vehicles.
But the CHR said genuine progress “is inclusive and must leave no one behind,” adding that majority of the program’s financial burden would fall on drivers and operators amid the economic and financial implications of the PUVMP.
“According to a report, the most serious concern is job loss as a result of the program’s entry barriers,” it stressed.
Other challenges operators could face include the costs of updating existing vehicles and new vehicles, and forming and coordinating a cooperative or corporation.
“The government set a ceiling of P80,000 in subsidies per unit despite the updated jeepneys costing upwards of P1 million does not alleviate fears that the program will simply push poorer operators out, allowing well-financed corporations to take over,” CHR said.
“Furthermore, the repercussions of this program extend to commuters, resulting in unintended consequences such as strikes, ‘tigil pasada,’ and protests, among others.”
“The suspension of franchise issuances for traditional jeepneys has led to challenges in maintaining a sufficient supply and reliability of public transportation services that led to disruptions in the daily commute for the general public,” it added.
“Concerning the need to emphasize more sustainable and efficient energy use, the Commission respects the government’s prerogative to make our PUVs more safe and environmentally friendly on the road. We recognize the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and safer mode of transportation as it encompasses the very essence of the right to freedom of movement,” it stated.
But LTO’s Mendoza said: “As much as possible, we do not want to apprehend to help them avoid huge penalties due to late registration.”
“It is hard to earn money nowadays. The LTO will never get tired of convincing the motorists,” he noted.
To date, there are 24.7 million delinquent motor vehicles representing 65 percent of all the vehicles in the country.
Mendoza also lauded LTO officials in the provinces for coordinating with the local police offices and local government units in the conduct of joint operations for the no-registration, no-travel policy.
He reminded them to use social media platforms to reach as many people as possible, particularly motor vehicle owners.