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16 Enero 2024, Martes

condemns murder of Juan Jumalon

underboard nurses, be health care associates, inquire to DOH

HEADLINES

Probe firms refusing senior, PWD discount

By Nidz Godino

“Laws granting benefits to senior citizens and PWDs ,persons with disability should be strictly implemented and followed…if there are instances of  improper grant of these privileges, it becomes  common practice…so it cannot remain unchecked,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said refusal of  hotel in Pasig City to give  senior citizen  20-percent discount prompted him to look into business establishments violating  law.

 House of Representatives has received reports  such incidents are not limited to  elderly but also happen to PWDs.

Senior citizens and PWDs are entitled to  20-percent discount in restaurants, transportation and other services.

Romualdez sought  investigation into violations of Republic Act 9994 or  Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and RA 10754, otherwise known as  Act Expanding Benefits and Privileges of PWDs.

“Many of our senior citizens and PWDs have questions…so we will give them this opportunity when Congress starts  probe,” he said.

Among  violations was  reported policy of  popular coffee shop limiting  20-percent discount and exemption from  12 percent value-added tax to only one food item and one drink per visit for seniors and PWDs.

Pasig City prosecutor’s office charged  hotel’s president and finance director for refusing to grant  20-percent discount to  senior citizen.

They are facing complaints for violating Section 4 (a) (7) of  Expanded Senior Citizens Act and Article 116 of RA 7394 or  Consumer Act of the Philippines.

“Violations of laws granting benefits to senior citizens and PWDs are trending topics on social media these past few months…  high time House review  implementation of these laws and find out if business establishments are complying with every provision,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez was  principal author of the law expanding  benefits and privileges of PWDs.

Two executives of  hotel in Pasig were charged by  city prosecutor’s office for not giving senior citizen her 20-percent discount.

In  22-page resolution,  Pasig prosecutor’s office charged  hotel’s president and finance director with violating Section 4(a)(7) of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Article 116 of  Consumer Act of the Philippines.

The case was filed with  Pasig Metropolitan Trial Court and  bail was set at P36,000 each.

Charges  stemmed from  complaint filed by senior citizen Melinda Rada after  hotel did not give her  12-percent value-added tax exemption and 20-percent senior citizen’s discount on her stay at  establishment in November 2022. 

Prosecutor  said  hotel president’s claim that failure to give  discount was never intentional is immaterial for violations of  two laws.

 Prosecutor  said  hotel failed to show  permit from  Department of Trade and Industry allowing it to hold  promotion for Rada’s hotel stay, which is “fatal to the hotel.”

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Galatians 5:16

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Ph to upgrade outposts in disputed SCS

By J.Lo

“We are just trying to make it more liveable, more habitable for our soldiers because they really have poor living conditions,” Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner told reporters.Philippines will upgrade outposts in waters off its coast and acquire more ships, as  country seeks to push back against China’s growing assertiveness in  disputed South China Sea.

Manila and Beijing have  long history of maritime territorial disputes in  waterway, but relations sharply deteriorated recently over  series of incidents involving vessels from both countries.

Brawner said  country would develop ” islands and other features” it held.

Philippines has outposts on nine reefs and islands in  Spratly Islands, located in South China Sea.

Brawner said Thitu and Nanshan islands were among those where facilities would be improved with installation of desalination machines and communications equipment.

 Plan , however, did not include “fortifying  Sierra Madre”, Brawner said, referring to the crumbling World War II-vintage ship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal by Philippine Navy in 1999 to assert country’s territorial claims.

 Philippines would also acquire “more ships, more aircraft, radars”, Brawner said, as part of modest modernisation programme that began more than  decade ago.

Beijing claims almost  entire South China Sea and has ignored  international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.

This month, China held military drills in  South China Sea as  United States and  Philippines conducted their own joint exercises in  same waters.

Drills  followed  month of tense standoffs between China and  Philippines in disputed reefs in  area that saw  collision between vessels from  two countries and Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats.

Gov’t allots P800 M for new port in Kalayaan

By Nidz Godino

“Sum for  Lawak shelter port is itemized in  2024 Maritime Transportation Infrastructure Program,” Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said, noting Department of Transportation will build  new port on Lawak Island.

Philippine government has earmarked P800 million for construction of new port in  Kalayaan Island Group in West Philippine Sea to beef up maritime security and provide refuge to bullied fishermen.

Fund  has been included in 2024 General Appropriations Law amid China’s continuing artificial island building in Spratly archipelago, according to Campos.

Lawak is second largest landmass in  Philippine-administered Kalayaan Island Group, located in northeastern section of Spratly archipelago.

Shelter  port is  facility where boats, including those for fishing, can seek refuge through anchorages with access channels, breakwaters and jetties, among other structures.

“ P800 million for Lawak shelter port is on top of, and separate from, P1.5 billion for  expansion of  airport on Pag-asa Island, shelter port and  airport expansion projects give substance to House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pledge to develop  Kalayaan Island Group in  bid to encourage civilian settlements there,” Campos, vice chair of House committee on appropriations, pointed out. 

With  land area of 7.93 hectares, Lawak is located 157 kilometers east of Pag-asa,  has  land area of 37.2 hectares.

Sixth-class municipality, Kalayaan is least populated town in the Philippines, with only 193 residents who all live in Pag-asa, according to  2020 census. 

 Kalayaan municipal government is based in Pag-asa.

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komida militar

HINDI naman totoo kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal na hindi matatapos ang insurhensiya sa Pilipinas dahil doon ang batayan ng produksiyon ng mga heneral sa bansa. Shout out muna kay Ptr. Saturnino Abraham ng Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, natanggap ko na ang dokumento ng lupang para pabahay sa mga katutubong Badjao, patuloy tayong manalangin para sa iyong ministeryo dyan sa lugar mo at sa kagya’t na mapagtibay ang housing project. Wala na raw hong aktibong pangkat rebeldeng komunista sa bansa kaya

nalutas nang militar ang insurhensya. Ibig bang sabihin nito’y wala nang magiging opisyal ang hukbo, natural mayroon dahil tagumpay ng liderato ang pagpapatupad ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa bansa, may banta man sa seguridad nito o wala. Nasa  1,399 myembro daw po ng mga rebeldeng komunista ang neutralized sa katatapos na taong 2023. Wala nang kakayahan ang mga itong maminsala pa ng populasyon kaya panatag na ang loob nating payapang mga sibilyan. Pero nananatiling nagsasanay ng mga opisyal-kawal ang Philippine Military Academy at Philippine National Police Academy. Sa mga senior high school grade 12 o graduating, makipag-alam sa pulisya ng bawat bayan at lungsod hinggil sa entrance exam ng PMA at PNPA. Kung pangarap mong maging opisyal ng hukbong sandatahan, maging army, navy o air force, mag-entrance exam sa PMA. Kung nais namang maging opisyal ng pulisya, bumbero o jail guard, PNPA naman.  Masaganang bagong taon para sa may 360 pamilyang benepisyaryo ng Phase 1 Ciudad Kaunlaran Project , bigyan ka ba naman ng bahay at lupa kung hindi happy new year mo. Happy birthday muna kay Binang First Secretary Michelle Ayala-Santos, more birthdays to come. Sa mga hindi nakarating sa orientation ng Korean trip, sa isang taon na lang uli. Ang byahe ngayong taong ito ay sa Abril at Hulyo. Shout out din kay Bocaue Municipal Engineer Miguel Castillo, paki asikaso po ang reklamo sa Sitio Bihunan, Binang First, pinakialaman na ang muhon, wala pang building permit. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal hindi pwedeng galawin ninuman ang muhon ng bawat lupa maliban sa inhinyero. Nai-turn over na ang certificate of occupancy sa mga taga-Bacoor City, Cavite, kasambahay, pakiramdaman ninyo, baka may pabahay dyan sa lugar ninyo, pakinabangan ninyo. Ang P2 ng CKP ay inaasahang matatapos sa 2025. Nasa 80,000 hong pabahay ang nagawa ng gobyernong Marcos noong katatapos na taong 2023, 6 milyon sa pagtatapos ng kanyang termino sa 2028. Executive clemency na lang ang ultimo remedio sa leeg ni Veloso at kapag nabigo si Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo sa paglalakad nito, tigbak ang Pinay. Nasabat Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal si Veloso sanYogyakarta noong  Abril 2010 dala sa bagahe nito ang 2.6 kilong heroin nakatahi sa luggage nito. Magkita-kita tayo mga Marked Men for Christ facilitators sa petsa 26, phase 2 seminar at phase 1 sa Baguio City, Febrero 21-23, maghanda-handa na tayo. Kung nais nyong makarating sa  korea sa Abril mayroong orientation sa jan 11 8am to 4pm sa GFWC , Plaridel, Bulacan,may food registration 150 pesos Sagot ng Korea  accomodation and food, Bale 12 days po tayo don kung makasama tayo. Kapag  nabigyan na tayo ng invitation ay visa at airfare balikan ,para po ito sa lahat ng church leaders ,pastor at wives, pastors kids at young people leaders. Welcome to the Philippines Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Capica. Ididiskwento ng Meralco nang hanggang syento porsyento sa singil sa koryente ang mga benepisyaryo ng 4ps. Kwalipikadong aplikante ay kailangang hindi kumukunsumo ng 100 kw.hr. DSWD, huwag naman nyong pahirapan mga aplikante. Dalawang buwan na lang at Marked Men for Christ sa Baguio na. Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

Ownership  regulations on Const’s eco provisions

By Nidz Godino

“This is to avert  constitutional crisis between  House of Representatives and  Senate,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri,  filed  resolution in  Senate, said new resolution has been filed in both Houses of  19th Congress  seeking to amend certain economic provisions of  1987 Constitution. 

Resolution of both Houses No. 6 asked  House of Representatives (HoR) and  Senate for  revision of Article 12 (Section 11), 14 (Paragraph 2, Section 4) and 16 (Paragraph 2 Section 11) of  Constitution,  stipulate  public services should exclusively be owned by Filipinos.

Article 12, Section 11 of  Constitution limits ownership of public utility franchises to Filipino citizens and corporations, while Article 14, Section 4, Paragraph 2 specifies that educational institutions should have at least 60% of their capital owned by Filipino citizens.

Paragraph 2, Section 11, Article 16, meanwhile, states that 70% of the capital should be owned by Filipinos in  advertising industry. 

 Said  provisions of  Constitution,  lawmakers seek to revise, are covered by  amendments of  Public Service Act (PSA). Zubiri said this has been assailed at the Supreme Court. 

Under  Implementing Rules and Regulations of  new PSA that has been in effect since April 2023, full foreign ownership of “selected industries” is allowed. Before  approval of  law’s amendments, on the other hand, foreigners are only allowed  40% ownership of some industries.

Apart from Zubiri, other senators who filed  resolution are Sens. Loren Legarda and Sonny Angara. 

Resolution  was submitted amid  controversy surrounding  alleged signature-buying for  “people’s initiative” aimed at revising  constitution, prompting some lawmakers to call for investigation into  scheme in  HoR.

Prior to filing of  resolution, Zubiri also told  reporters  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked  Senate to lead  review of  economic provisions of  1987 Constitution. 

“President agreed with us that proposal was too divisive and asked  Senate to instead take  lead in reviewing  economic provisions of  constitution…in this way, we can preserve our bicameral nature of legislation,” Zubiri said in  press briefing.

“Si president mismo ayaw niya ng lupa na ibigay sa foreigners,” he added.

Alleged Cha-cha bribery probe sought

By Nidz Godino

“We have received numerous reports about this signature drive where people are told to sign  fake people’s initiative form for purposes of Charter change…we have this in Tarlac, Quezon City, Caloocan and even in Cavite, and these are only  few… more, actually,” House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of party-list ACT Teachers said. Makabayan bloc in  House of Representatives has filed  resolution seeking  investigation of reports that people were allegedly bribed into participating in signature drive calling for  revision of  1987 Constitution through  people’s initiative.

Castro led  filing of House Resolution 1541 for  conduct of an inquiry, in aid of legislation, in  ongoing Charter change signature drive across  country.

 “Many have been promised financial assistance, while some have been told they will receive gifts during Christmas season in 2023… we have also received reports  PWDs, persons with disabilities were also duped into signing on to this Cha-cha,” she said.

Chairperson Emmi de Jesus of militant women’s group Gabriela, for her part, said what  country needs is “increase in our wages, not  change in Constitution” in light of “escalating prices and  diminishing real value of our salaries.” 

“It is complete lie to claim what we need to do is amend  Constitution to address  rampant poverty we face today, when what they really want to impose is term extension and lifting  limits for  ownership of foreigners in the Philippines, if  government is really keen on uplifting  lives of people, then it must prioritize bills which will increase  workers’ salaries… Gabriela’s P750 wage increase bill is  concrete means to narrow  gap between  family living wage and  present meager wages,” de Jesus said.

Opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman, who was accused by Legazpi City Mayor Alfredo Garbin Jr. of flip-flopping on  voting issue of Charter change, insisted his legal stand stays “joint voting” must be observed when senators and congressmen convene themselves into constituent assembly. 

“I am not changing my position that there must be  joint voting because  members of  Congress are not acting as legislators, but as members of  constituent assembly where one member is entitled to one vote individually and not through their respective Houses, my position is now being echoed by those behind  present people’s initiative campaign to malevolently marginalize  senators in  Constituent Assembly because Senate has consistently been  graveyard of proposed constitutional amendments in the past” Lagman said. 

Garbin noted  Albay congressman’s change of tune. 

“In an apparent 180-degree turn, Manong Edcel is now saying that joint voting is not desirable because  House will ‘overwhelm’  Senate by superiority in numbers. why  sudden change of heart…why is he now opposed to  joint voting of  House and the Senate, whatever  reason is,  saying in Albay that being forgetful is  very strong Lagman trait looks to be justified,” Garbin, also  lawyer by profession who served as chairman of  House committee on constitutional amendments, said. 

 Local  chief executive cited  House’s transcript in January 2021 where Lagman referred to  long-established Supreme Court decision on  issue of joint or separate voting in  1967 case of Gonzales vs. Comelec.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) may nullify  petition for  people’s initiative if it is proven  signatures gathered for campaign were in exchange for money. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said  signatures filed together with  petition may be used as evidence in  complaint that money was distributed to signatories.

“That can be used as evidence  A or B received money and  reason they signed  petition; it’s enough to nullify any signatures that have evidence that money was accepted in exchange for signing  petition,” Garcia said.

But he clarified distribution of money in  people’s initiative campaign could not be considered  form of vote-buying, because signatures are not votes.

However, Garcia stressed it could affect  petition if proven money was used in exchange to obtain  signatures.

According to him,  proponents of people’s initiative may face anti-graft and malversation charges if they used public funds.

“For our part, that is the reason why I can’t give  decision or say what Comelec’s action will be because we need to wait for formal complaint,” Garcia said.

Sen. Bong Go said  if  37-year-old Constitution is to be amended, it should be for benefit of ordinary Filipinos, particularly  underprivileged, and not for politicians.

“If you remember, in  past years, whenever I was asked about that issue  this Charter change, people’s initiative,  Constitution will be moved , my answer was that our poor countrymen should benefit… not politicians who should benefit,” Go said.“So,” said Go.

“That was my position before; until now it will not change.”

Human rights group Karapatan has raised concerns over  current attempt to amend  1987 Philippine Constitution, asserting  it poses severe threat to people’s rights.

Group  claimed in  statement proponents aligned with President Marcos pushing for constitutional changes in the Philippines have turned to  “people’s initiative”

“The ‘people’s initiative,’ which has been tagged as ‘politicians’ initiative,’ is seen as  shortcut to Charter change, with people in poor communities being asked to sign blank sheets of paper in exchange for money, ‘people’s initiative,’  has been tagged as ‘politicians’ initiative,’ is seen as  shortcut to Charter change, with people in poor communities being asked to sign blank sheets of paper in exchange for money” they,” Karapatan said.

It added it draws parallels to past irregularities during  martial rule of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Push  for Cha-cha, Karapatan said, is accompanied by  narrative blaming  1987 Constitution,  emerged from  EDSA people power uprising  ousted  elder

Karapatan argued   Cha-cha process is tainted not only by its questionable methods but also by its core proposal of “economic Charter change.”

This change, it said, aims to remove  provision prohibiting 100 percent foreign ownership of land, natural resources and businesses, ostensibly to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI).

Karapatan pointed out  move is seen as  direct violation of  fundamental rights of Filipinos to benefit from  nation’s resources.

Karapatan claimed  progressive economists dispute  belief  increased FDI and further economic liberalization will effectively address mass poverty, asserting  such measures only expose  domestic economy to exploitation.

“Allowing ‘economic Cha-cha’ will moreover open  floodgates for other self-serving ‘initiatives’ to extend  term limits of politicians, and prolong their stay in power,” Karapatan said. 

Ch slams Germany for meddling in SCS row

By Nidz Godino

“No non-regional country has  right to interfere in  maritime disputes between China and Philippines,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at  press conference last insisting anew on its claim of owning almost  entire South China Sea (SCS), China has lashed back at other non-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries allegedly meddling in  maritime disputes of the region.

Mao made  statement when asked for comment on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s remarks  rising tensions in the region and China’s dangerous actions against Philippines in  SCS are of concern for Europe.

“China’s position on South China Sea issue is clear and consistent,” she said in reaction to  German foreign minister’s statement at  press briefing with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

“We are committed to properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned, and would like to work with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region… being said, China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Mao added, as she reiterated China’s stand  SCS dispute must be resolved by China and  Philippines alone.

Baerbock, visiting  Philippines, has expressed concern over how freedom of navigation enshrined in international law, insofar as SCS and  West Philippine Sea (WPS) is concerned, is affecting other nations.

“Incidents over  recent months where  Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) has used lasers and water cannons against Philippine resupply vessels, and even  collisions that happened, are of concern for us in Europe even if it is thousands of kilometers away,” she said.

Meanwhile,  Chinese embassy in the Philippines  refuted Baerbock’s remarks Beijing is disrupting rules-based order and freedom of navigation in  SCS.

“Disregarding basic facts,  German side made unwarranted accusation about China’s South China Sea policy and legitimate and lawful actions,”  Chinese embassy spokesperson in Manila said.

 Embassy  made  statement after Germany’s foreign minister, in her visit to Philippines  said  CCG’s use of lasers and water cannons against Filipino vessels in WPS concerned Europe and violated  freedom of navigation in  vital trade route.

Germany also backed  United Nations Convention on  Law of the Sea and  2016 arbitral ruling that upheld  Philippines’ sovereignty and invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims. 

Transport protest vs PUVMP sched Tuesday

By J.Lo

“We will march from University of the Philippines ,UP Diliman, España, up to Mendiola this Tuesday… transport protest will be nationwide…after  series of meetings in the past days, we are prepared for  protest action… number of protesters will be tripled compared to  Dec. 29 ,2023 protest as many already expressed sympathy for  scheduled protest,” Manibela president Mar Valbuena said .Manibela will hold another protest tomorrow amid  looming threat of unconsolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs) being allowed to operate only until Jan. 31.

At  forum, Manibela president  Valbuena announced  Jan. 16 transport “strike,” Manibela quickly clarified on their Facebook page would be  “protest,” alongside fellow transport group PISTON and other sector groups.

He noted at least 7,000 drivers and operators joined  Dec. 29 protest action.

“We expect at least 10,000 to 15,000 drivers in Metro Manila alone to join  transport protest,” Valbuena said…he added  those who joined  consolidation will also join  protest action.

Valbuena said  drivers are not cowed by  threat of  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that starting Feb. 1, it will start  crackdown on unconsolidated PUJs.

“We are not afraid of  crackdown as every day, drivers are subjected to violations, including  fine of P5,000 for failure to carry with them  memorandum circular,” he noted.

Valbuena called on  House of Representatives to extend  franchise of PUJs to five years instead of  extension of consolidation.

“We are appealing to  House of Representatives, to our Speaker, instead of approving  extension of  consolidation, what should be extended is our franchise, returning  five years validity of our franchise, as  provisional authority given to us is illegal,” he said.

For his part, former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares said  Office of the Solicitor General already filed  answer, after  Supreme Court (SC) ordered  government to reply after  petition was filed questioning  legality of  consolidation.

“SolGen already filed its comment and we are drafting our reply, and we plan to file it before  Supreme Court this week as we need to hasten  process before  Feb. 1 deadline… we reiterate our call for  Supreme Court to issue  temporary restraining order (TRO),” Colmenares said during  same forum.

Colmenares added commuters are among  petitioners.

“Petitioners include  drivers, operators and  commuters… at present, despite 100 percent of PUJs still allowed to operate, commuters are already having difficulties… what more if only 60 percent of PUJs will ply  roads?” Colmenares said.

On Dec. 21, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or PISTON asked  high tribunal to stop  implementation, and ultimately void certain government orders related to  public utility modernization program (PUVMP).

PISTON filed  petition for certiorari and injunction questioning  legality of  Dec. 31 deadline set for  PUVMP, and also sought TRO to prevent its implementation until  petition is resolved.

Mody Floranda, PISTON president, has said jeepney operators and drivers are still hopeful  SC will issue  TRO.

Group  also asked  SC to declare  order formalizing  modernization plan, and circulars for  consolidation, as null and void.

“We are happy that many lawyers joined Bayan Muna to help  drivers and, hopefully, TRO will be issued to prevent  crackdown on unconsolidated PUJs starting Feb. 1,” Colmenares added.

Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairperson Andy Ortega  said  transport cooperatives are ready to serve areas where  percentage of unconsolidated PUJs are high.

“Cooperatives who consolidated are now awaiting  special permits or documents from  LTFRB, so that they would know who among them will be given  opportunity to provide services to passengers in  routes where operators did not consolidate,” Ortega said.

He added cooperatives can also tap drivers whose operators chose not to comply with  consolidation deadline.

“ LTFRB continues processing, and determines how many drivers can be covered,” Ortega added.

He maintained  it was clear for  unconsolidated PUJs when  deadline for PUVMP ended.

“They knew  implication of not joining  program… there were even groups who went to  Supreme Court to question  program…we will see what will be decision of  Supreme Court, but we at  Department of Transportation will just do what should be done,” Ortega said.

He reiterated it is  cooperative that decides which modernized vehicle to choose, amid reports  locally produced modernized jeepney is cheaper compared to  imported minibuses.

“Government has increased its equity subsidy to P280,000… local manufacturer also approached us offering P985,000 per unit…what is important is it passes  standard set… decision is in hands of  cooperatives… they all have  freedom to choose,” Ortega said, as reports indicated  modernized minibuses reach more than P2 million per unit.

For her part, LTFRB member Riza Marie Paches said  since  start of consolidation, at least 1,728 cooperatives and corporations were established covering at least 262,344 members.

Paches said  at least 190,000 public utility vehicle units have joined  consolidation.

It’s final: over 30,000 public utility jeepneys will be considered illegal and treated as colorum units on Feb. 1.

Marcos administration remains firm on its decision not to extend  lapsed consolidation deadline despite criticism from lawmakers.

Data from  LTFRB showed public utility vehicle modernization program or PUVMP achieved  75 percent consolidation rate for jeepneys  112,801 of  total 150,867 units in the country. This could mean that more than 38,000 jeepneys could be taken off roads and will be deemed as illegally operating PUVs.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz lll said they would start apprehensions on Feb. 1 when  memorandum allowing operations until Jan. 31 lapses, adding  unconsolidated PUVs would have their franchises revoked and tagged as colorum or unlicensed vehicles.

He noted though that due process will still be observed and individual operators will be made to explain why they chose not to join cooperatives.

Joel Bolano, LTFRB technical division chief, meanwhile gave assurance that possible gaps in  transport supply next month are already being addressed.

“There will be  problem, but it would not be in all  routes…so, before that time comes,  board is already processing and looking into possible solutions,” Bolano said.

Guadiz defended  PUVMP amid criticisms from House committee chair Rep. Romeo Acop  there is  lack of direction in  program’s implementation, one that is akin to headless chicken.

“We respect  observation of chairman Acop…but we believe  someone is directing program and that is Secretary Jaime Bautista…each division and unit of  DOTR has role,” he said, referring to Department of Transportation and its chief.

Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairman Andy Ortega said while they respect  perspective of members of Congress, they will no longer entertain any applications for consolidation as  Dec. 31 deadline has already lapsed.

 LTFRB clarified though that while individual operators will no longer be able to apply for new cooperative, they may join existing ones.

Meanwhile, Bulacan Rep. Augustina Pancho  said  LTFRB under  Duterte administration might be partly to blame for problems now besetting  PUVMP.

“Based on our meeting in Congress, we can see  LTFRB is not really prepared for PUVMP… they didn’t seem to know how they will implement  program, it seems they didn’t have any consultation at all with  jeepney drivers and operators,  seems there was shortage in information, that should have been given to jeepney drivers and operators… fault lies with  LTFFRB in the past administration,” Pancho, vice-chairperson of  House committee on transportation said.

She called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to further study  PUVMP, noting that this would hurt  families of jeepney drivers. She also said  government has to assess  capacity of drivers and operators to pay for new PUV units.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

John 8:31-32

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”