Senators urge suspension of PUV modernization program; DOTr says no need

Photo Courtesy: Beng Ragon | Unsplash

A MAJORITY of the country’s senators have signed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) or the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Of the country’s 23 senators, 22 of them have signed the proposed Senate Resolution 1096. Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros has yet to sign.

In the PSR 1096, the senators explained that this was due to concerns raised by the drivers, groups, unions, and transport cooperatives that have been heavily affected by the implementation of this program, particularly highlighting the PTMP’s alleged deficiencies.

The resolution said: “There is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the impact of the program, to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation.”

The government would, thus, use the time given to ensure that the program is implemented in a much more efficient and inclusive manner, where progress is not made at the jeepney drivers’ expense.

The senators also suggested that those who had to consolidate could continue with their usual routes during this review.

It may be noted that many people, jeepney drivers and passengers alike, were against the PUV modernization program.

This is because the new e-jeepneys cost much more than the traditional ones, with drivers claiming that they could not afford to pay off these new vehicles.

Many of them, however, had no choice but to consolidate because unconsolidated franchises would be flagged down and face suspension, as they were considered as “colorum” or illegal by the LTFRB after the consolidation deadline on April 30.

DOTr statement

A day later, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that there was no need to stop the program.

In an interview, DOTr Undersecretary Andey Ortega said that the nationwide consolidation rate after April 30 was at 83%, with only two groups that have not joined the consolidation.

As for the complaints about financing, Ortega reassured the senators that they had already requested for a bigger budget. If approved, the budget would increase from PHP 1.3B to PHP 2.9B.

Only less than a billion, however, was approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Gaby Agbulos

Gaby Agbulos wants nothing more than to become a writer -- to be able to tell stories unheard of by the masses. She is currently majoring in Communication at the University of Santo Tomas, and after college, hopes to make an impact with the stories she writes, be it big or small.