THE PROVINCIAL government of Palawan expressed support to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) during a summit held in the province on Friday. In a statement, DoTr said transport operators also vowed to follow the modernization requirements at the end of the summit, which included a presentation on the national program by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin B. Delgra III. The PUV modernization program is a government project requiring jeepney drivers and operators to replace their units that are at least 15-years-old with more environment-friendly e-jeepneys. DoTr has given them three years to complete the phaseout of old jeepneys. Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, meanwhile, showed his stern stance on the PUV modernization implementation in a forum in Pasay City last week. He said protests against the government project can do nothing to stop him from pushing through with the plans. — Denise A. Valdez

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