President Ferdinand on Wednesday rejected proposals to delay the implementation of the nationwide Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), citing that a majority of around 80 percent among PUV operators are already complying with the program.
“I disagree with them because they said this was rushed. This has been postponed seven times. The modernization has been postponed for seven times and those that have been objecting or have been crying out and asking for suspension are in the minority,” the President said.
“Some 80 percent have already consolidated, so will we allow the 20 percent to decide on the life of the 100 percent. We should listen to the majority, and the majority is saying we should push through with this,” he added.
Last week, 22 senators filed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension of the PTMP (formerly called the PUVMP) due to concerns about its supposed unplanned and rushed implementation.
Senate Resolution No. 1096 noted the fears of drivers and transport operators to be directly affected by the program, particularly issues related to consolidation into cooperatives.
According to data from the Department of Transportation, the consolidation rate under the program already reached 83.38 percent, with the Office of Transport Cooperatives accrediting 1,781 cooperatives with 262,870 members.
The government is now completing the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) or route rationalization component which will determine the number of PUV units to serve a particular route.
Senate President Francis Escudero, for his part, clarified that PUV operators and drivers who already complied will not be affected by their proposal to temporary suspend the program.
“We’re not saying anything about canceling the program. What we are saying to those who haven’t yet is to slow down until the assistance, financing, and plans are complete. And when it’s complete, let’s continue with the remainder. But those who have agreed, those who have already bought units, those who are already doing it, why not?” the Senate President said.
“No one said that we are against modernization itself. We just want it to be implemented properly and faithfully according to the intention of modernization itself,” he added.
Escudero also emphasized the resolution is just a “sense of the Senate.”
“It only serves as a reminder to the executive branch and that is how the relationship between the executive and legislative should be,” Escudero said, noting it as a showcase of “separation of powers in different divisions of government.”
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board thanked the President for his position on the PTMP.
“[This is] vital in addressing the evolving needs of our commuters and ensuring a more reliable and eco-friendly public transportation network,” LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said.
Transport groups have different reactions to the President’s position.
Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP) national president Orlando Marquez Sr. said it would have been grossly unfair to abruptly halt the PTMP because the vast majority of transport industry stakeholders have already invested much time and money to comply with it.
“We are thankful to the President for having the foresight to see what benefits transport modernization can bring to us (operators and drivers) and the riding public. It gives a morale boost to those of us in the transport sector who have long been fighting for modernization,” he told the Manila Standard.
Ellen Maghanoy, chairperson of the Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives, added: “With your (Mr. Marcos’) support of the PUV Modernization Program, we will strive to do better. We will hasten the implementation of the coordinated dispatching and automatic fare collection system.”
Transport group Manibela called for a nationwide transport strike in protest against the continuation of the modernization program.
“The claim that 80 percent of PUVs nationwide have complied with consolidation requirements is starkly at odds with the daily realities faced by drivers and operators. Many are grappling with the fear of losing their livelihoods due to the exorbitant costs associated with modernization,” Manibela president Mar Valbuena said.
PISTON added: “In the face of growing poverty, unemployment, and the soaring cost of living, we cannot achieve genuine modernization as long as our leaders prioritize foreign and corporate interests over the well-being of the people.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline PBBM rejects call to suspend modernization of PUVs
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