Escudero says DOTr to suspend PUV modernization pending review
Traditional and modern jeepneys on the road. INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), under its new leadership, will temporarily suspend the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) pending review.
This was disclosed Tuesday by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, citing his recent conversation with newly installed Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.
“Tinalakay ko sa kanya ito (I discussed this with him),” he said at a press conference in Sorsogon when asked about the PTMP, noting the the agencies implementing the program is under the DOTr.
“At ayon sa kanya, ipapa-review niya ito at pansamantala niyang sususpendihin ito hanggat hindi tapos ang kanyang review dahil nabasa din niya ang posisyon ng Senado at mahaba-haba din naming tinalakay ito sa kanya mismo bago pa man siya nahirang bilang kalihim,” Escudero said.
Article continues after this advertisement(And according to him, he will have this reviewed and temporarily suspend it until his review is completed, as he has also read the position of the Senate and we had a lengthy discussion about this with him even before he was appointed as Secretary.)
Article continues after this advertisementLaunched in 2019, PTMP, previously known as the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, seeks to replace traditional jeepneys that are no longer roadworthy with vehicles that have Euro 4-compliant engines to reduce air pollution.
But its implementation was met by strong opposition from affected sectors with some filing cases against it before the Supreme Court.
In the Senate, Escudero and 21 other senators signed a resolution urging the government to temporarily suspend its enforcement of the PTMP, citing the concerns raised by the drivers and operators who will be affected directly by the program.
The Senate chief expressed confidence the new DOTr chief would side with the Senate.
“So, maakakaasa kayo at buo din ang pag-asa ko na kakatigan ni Sec. Vince Dizon ang posisyon ng Senado kaugnay sa pagpapaliban ng modernisayon sa simpleng dahilan na hindi pa handa ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, hindi pa handa yung financing sa likod nito at wala silang karapatan na huwag isyuhan ng registration yung mga pampublikong sasakyan na hindi pa lumilipat sa modernisasyon na wala pa namang kahandaan ang ahensiya ng gobyerno para lubusang ipatupad ito lalo sa sa aspeto ng financing,” Escudero said.
(So, you can count on it, and I’m also hopeful that Sec. Vince Dizon will support the Senate’s position regarding the postponement of modernization, for the simple reason that the government agencies are not yet ready, the financing behind it is not yet in place, and they have no right to withhold the registration of public vehicles that have not yet transitioned to modernization, given that the government agencies are not yet fully prepared to implement this, especially in terms of financing.)
