Hiniling ni Quezon Rep. Reynan Arrogancia sa Department of Transportation-Office of the Transport Cooperatives, Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na silipin at solusyunan ang isyu ng pagkaka-default ng ilang kooperatibang nangutang para sa PUV Modernization program.
Batay kasi aniya sa paglalahad ng LBP at DBP sa naging imbestigasyon ng House Committee on Transportation, mayroong 38 transport cooperative ang hindi nakabayad ng kanilang utang sa dalawang bangko.
5 sa mga ito ay may utang na P274 million sa LBP at may 33 naman sa DBP na may utang na P1.8 billion.
“DBP has more borrowers who defaulted. They have 33, while Landbank has only 5. There may be some problems with the terms and conditions of the loans. These are the actual figures from Landbank and DBP resource persons who testified at the recent public hearing of the House committee on transportation, of which I serve as vice chairman. Yes, most of the borrowers can pay their loans, but some were unable to, which gives some credence to the assertion of the PUV modernization objectors,” sabi ni Arrogancia.
Apela rin ng mambabatas sa naturang mga ahensya, kasama na ang LTFRB, na bigyan ng grace period ang naturang defaulted borrowers at magbigay ng dagdag pang tulong upang masigurong makakayanang bayaran ng mga kooperatiba ang kanilang utang.
May panahon pa rin naman aniya ang LBP at DBP para ayusin ang kanilang panuntunan sa pagpapautang.
“It is clear that the PUV Modernization Program has a lot of room for improvement given the fact that 38 transport coops and corporations are now past due on their loans. DOTr, Landbank, and DBP still have time to recalibrate their rules. DOTr also has time to offer better protection to the owners of PUJ units and new alternatives to the PUJ operators like new terminal-to-terminal franchises and service contracting routes and roles.”, dagdag ng mambabatas. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
