The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said it will pursue with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) even after senators formally called for a temporary suspension of its implementation.
DOTr Undersecretary Andy Ortega said that while the DOTr respects the move of the Senate, the agency intends to pursue the program and work on the issues raised by stakeholders.
“We always respect our colleagues or friends sa Senado po. So yung resolution na inahain nila ay I do believe pupunta po yan sa Malacañang, sa ating Pangulo, and our President will make the decision regarding that resolution,” he told Unang Balita in an interview.
(We always respect our colleagues or friends in the Senate. So the resolution they submitted is, I do believe, will go to Malacañang, to our President, and our President will make the decision regarding that resolution.)
“On the part of the DOTr, we are pursuing the program because we know kaya po nating ayusin ang lahat ng problema sa usapin sa konsultasyon, while we are pushing for, ongoing po yung programa natin,” he added.
(On the part of the DOTr, we are pursuing the program because we know we can fix all the issues on the matter in consultation, while we are pushing for our ongoing program,.)
On Wednesday, 22 of the 23 senators signed proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP, which is now called Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
The senators cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design “in favor of so-called modern jeepneys,” low percentage of approved routes, among others, in the resolution.
Ortega advised consolidated PUV operators and drivers to continue their operation despite the Senate resolution.
“Ang sasabihin namin tuloy lang because that’s the order of the President, that’s the order of the Secretary. We have to pursue this program dahil alam po natin we can talk, we can fix and we can improve what we have been doing for the past year,” he said.
(We will tell them to carry on because that’s the order of the President, that’s the order of the Secretary. We have to pursue this program because we know we can talk, fix, and improve what we have been doing for the past year.)
“Kaya po nating ituloy ang programa ngunit nag-uusap po tayo na maayos to improve further. Tulungan po tayo dito. Kailangan po nating ituloy ang programa,” he added.
(We can continue the program but we have to make discussions about how to improve further. Let’s help each other here. We need to continue the program.)
Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are not deemed roadworthy.
A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.
The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program.
Initially, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had said that PUVs that did consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be deemed “colorum.”
However, LTFRB has allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low number of consolidations.
A total of 36,217 PUVs and 2,445 routes remained unconsolidated as of May. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
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