CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY [26 APRIL 2024] – Transport cooperative leaders in Mindanao gather here to support the Philippine government’s call to end the consolidation of units on April 30, 2024, the deadline set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for franchise consolidation and transformation of transport associations into juridical entities, namely, cooperatives and corporations.
Various transport cooperatives in Regions 10, 11, 12 and 13 attended the Transport Forum organized by the Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives (MFTC), in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising Regulatory Office 10 (LTFRB RFRO-X) under Regional Director Abosamen H. Matuan, today, at the N Hotel, Kauswagan Highway, here.
Another Transport Forum will be held by MFTC and LTFRB RFRO-IX, under Regional Director Tommy Macadindang, on April 29, 2024, at the Our Lady of Triumph (OLT) Institute of Technology in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already announced that the April 30 deadline for the franchise consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) will no longer be extended, the Philippine News Agency reported earlier.
It said that during the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Concerns, President Marcos was asked by a representative of the transport sector about the nearing deadline for consolidation of franchises of PUVs. “Wala na pong extension, kailangan na kailangan na natin ‘yan (No more extensions, we really need that already),” Marcos reportedly responded.
The consolidation requires PUV operators to form cooperatives or corporations to access business financing in acquiring modern jeepney units. It is part of the government’s PUV modernization program that started in 2017.
The deadline for consolidation application was originally set for Dec. 31, 2023, but the President approved the recommendation of the Department of Transportation to extend the deadline to April 30, 2024.
MFTC Chairman Cheng Ordonez said the series of Transport Fora, dubbed as Transport Forum: Beating the Consolidation Deadline, with the theme, “Industry Consolidation: A Juridical Conduit For Transport Modernization,” feature an LTFRB HELP DESK to assist transport operators in the consolidation of their units, and to cope with the deadline set on April 30, 2024.
Also, the fora provide participants with updates from transport government agencies; market launching of latest modern vehicles; presentation of transport-related products; business matchings between cooperatives/corporations and suppliers; and round-table discussion on transport issues and concerns, as well as MOA signing among OLT Institute of Technology Ozamiz and Pagadian, represented by its President Lucille Maglasang, Misamis Institute of Technology Ibc. (MIT) President Engr. Galileo A. Maglasang, and MFTC led by its chairman Mr. Ordonez, also Panta Transportation Mindanao head.
Invited to the event are DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) National President Orlando “Ka Lando” Marquez, LTOP Local and International Consultant Roberto Q. De Lara, and regional heads of agencies related to transportation and cooperative.
LTOP National President Ka Lando calls for unity among transport cooperatives and corporations, and insist that the franchise consolidation be put to an end, and for the National Government to support existing operators who are now into transport cooperatives, and be provided with government subsidy, like the 4Ps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A manifesto is expected to do the rounds for a signature campaign among transport leaders, as a manifestation of their support to LTOP’s call for legislative measure on operators’ subsidy.
Meanwhile, transport and non-transport companies have partnered with MFTC in the CDO transport forum. Major sponsors include QSJ Motors Phils, Forland Motors, Fuso CDO, Durabuilt Motors Inc. and JMC Motors Inc.
Minor sponsors are Armor Oil Corporation, Smart Communications, Inc., and 1st Valley Bank.
The Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives is the biggest organization of transport cooperatives in Mindanao with cooperative members in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and BARMM. Established on July 17, 2023, it currently holds office in Cagayan de Oro City, offering consultation for its members, as well as Financial Management trainings and Fleet Management System orientations in collaboration with Panta Transportation Pty Ltd, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, which is at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge solutions for the global public transportation industry. Founded in 2018, the Panta has quickly established itself as a pioneer in the field, dedicated to improving the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of public transport systems. With a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Panta Transportation is committed to redefining urban mobility, ensuring seamless and eco-friendly transportation experiences through its innovative Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) and Fleet Management solutions.
Antares Modern Transport Consultancy Corp. serves as MFTC’s Secretariat.Recently, MFTC has been recognized by the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) as one of its allies. Also two distinguished institutions in the field of education, the Our Lady of Triumph Institute of Technology and the Misamis Instituter of Technology play a significant role in the growth of MFTC and its members in the conduct of training and development of driver-members.
