The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have started apprehending unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) after the 15-day leeway period lapsed on May 15.
The LTFRB on Wednesday began flagging down PUVs over failure to comply with the government’s consolidation scheme under the PUV Modernization Program.
It reminded the reconsolidated jeepneys to display their franchise documents on their dashboard or windshields to avoid apprehension.
“Authorities will check the serial number on the document issued by the LTFRB displayed on their jeepneys during the operations that started on May 16,” the agency said.
The consolidation scheme ended on April 30 after several suspensions. The LTFRB and Department of Transportation (DOTr) allowed drivers and operators a 15-day grace period on April 30 to modernize by joining the cooperatives.
Apprehended PUVs may face a one-year suspension for the driver, a P50,000-fine for the operator, and 30-day impounding of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, transport group Manibela earlier staged a protest at the LTFRB headquarters in Quezon City amid the crackdown on unconsolidated jeepneys. Its president, Mar Valbuena, insisted that the LTFRB should allow jeepney drivers and operators to operate even if they have failed to join a cooperative.