Modernized jeepneys at their terminal in Montalban, Rizal on January 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — Individual jeepney operators will be given "one last chance" to apply for consolidation starting on Friday, October 18, until November 29, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Thursday. 

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LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III told the media that unconsolidated jeepney operators may still join existing transport cooperatives and corporations. But they will not be allowed to form new ones except in certain routes, he added. 

“May mga ruta pa po tayo all over the Philippines na wala pang mga existing cooperatives na nag-apply. In those instances, we will allow new cooperatives to come in and take over these existing routes,” he said. 

“Even in Metro Manila, may mga ganun pa… Mostly in Quezon City,” he added. 

Guadiz also insisted that this would be the final deadline, despite numerous times in the past when the government would grant more extensions. 

“Ito na po yung talagang huling-huli… In fact we never really intended to have another extension. This is only to accommodate the Senate. Because in our dialogue with the Senate President, ang gusto lang naman niya is walang maiwanan. And the only way na walang maiwanan sa system is for us to reopen but we said to the Senate President na hindi pwedeng perpetual. It would be unfair to those who already joined,” he explained. 

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Guadiz also believes that the Senate will no longer call for a suspension of the Public Transport Modernization Program now that the LTFRB has agreed to extend the consolidation period. 

According to Guadiz, over 83 percent of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) nationwide have already consolidated. He expects an additional 7 to 10 percent to catch up with the reopening of the program. 

“I would expect that much kasi naramdaman na nung mga hindi sumali sa consolidation. Number 1, hindi na sila makabiyahe. Those who were apprehended, na-impound yung sasakyan,” he said. 

Guadiz said many drivers and operators expressed interest to join after realizing that without consolidation they would no longer be able to benefit from government initiatives such as the fuel subsidy program and the service contracting program or Libreng Sakay, where they can receive thousands of pesos. 

“These will only be available to those who avail of the program for industry consolidation. Sayang. Maraming naka-realize, nag-isip na maraming mawawala sa kanila by not joining,” he said.

Guadiz said the LTFRB will release the board resolution that would allow for the reopening of the consolidation program by Friday.

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