AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee urged the different government financial institutions to simplify and streamline the tedious loan requirements for the purchase of modern jeepneys to help ailing transport cooperatives and corporations.
This is what the lawmaker said during the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). He argued that many transport cooperatives fail to get loans or assistance from government banks, such as the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), due to the difficult documentary requirements.
Lee said the main reason why the Government is pushing for and allocating a big budget for the PUV modernization program is to help jeepney drivers and operators. He also argued 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.
“It defeats the purpose kung pinapahirapan natin sila. Ano ba talaga ang papel natin dito? Ang tulungan sila o ang pahirapan sila?“ Lee said.
“We must keep in mind that the transport sector is not only a public service but most importantly, a source of livelihood. Napakarami po nating kababayan ang umaasa sa kabuhayang ito na kasa-kasama nila sa pagtataguyod ng pamilya at pagpapaaral ng mga anak hanggang sila ay maka-graduate,” Lee added.
Lee also asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (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. In response, the LTFRB gave its committment to Lee and other House Members.
“Let us liberalize and simplify these requirements,” Lee said. “Marami na ngang na-comply na requirements na hiningi ang LTFRB at LTO (Land Transportation Office), kilo-kilometro pa rin ang dami ng hinihingi ng Land Bank o DBP na mahirap kumpletuhin.”
“The government must not burden the PUV drivers and operators in accessing loans to buy modern jeepneys,” Lee stressed.
In addition, 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.