Poe: PTMP review should tackle financial losses of drivers, operators
A protester raises a placard against the government’s PUV modernization program at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. PHOTO FROM MANIBELA
MANILA, Philippines — The impending review of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) should also tackle the financial losses incurred by drivers and operators due to the high cost of modern jeepneys, Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Poe said the PTMP should be a program where everyone is on board — from commuters, transport groups, drivers, operators, and the government.
“The review should not only look forward on how the program would be rolled out smoothly, but also look back at the situation of the drivers and operators reeling from financial losses because of the exorbitant cost of the jeepney units,” said Poe, who used to be the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services.
“We need a modernization program that will ensure that everybody is on board,” she added.
Poe’s reminder came after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) created a special committee that will review the PTMP.
Under the order signed by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, the committee will consult with various stakeholders, evaluate and review the current status and progress of the program, and identify pressing issues and concerns.
READ: DOTr forms special review committee for PUV modernization program
The following officials will form the special committee:
- Transportation Undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor (special committee chairperson)
- Transportation Assistant Secretary for road transport and infrastructure Ramon Reyes
- Office of Transportation Cooperatives head and former Cainta Mayor Ramon Ilagan
- Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II.
The special committee is expected to submit its recommendations within a week from the issuance of the order.
Poe believes the call for a review was just and humane.
“The review of the jeepney modernization program ordered by the DOTr Secretary is a chance to make it just, humane, and right,” she said.
“We trust the DOTr-led review body will tap transportation and commuters groups, private sector, local government units, academe, and other concerned stakeholders to produce a comprehensive outlook of the modernization situation and appropriate solutions,” she added.
Last March 21, several jeepney drivers and commuters started a transport strike in protest of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) alleged falsification of the data of the PTMP.
READ: Manibela: Many commuters left stranded amid transport strike
According to transport group Manibela, they will also push for the resignation of LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III as he claims that 86 percent of the country’s passenger vehicles have already consolidated to form cooperatives or corporations under the PTMP.
Valbuena said Dizon bared that the 86 percent included drivers and operators’ groups whose consolidation applications have not been approved.
The PTMP, previously called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), has encountered several controversies due to allegations of being anti-poor and anti-commuter, along with claims that the system is being used for corrupt activities.
In January 2024, the House of Representatives leadership called for a probe into the PUVMP as many drivers and operators complained of a possible phaseout should they not comply with consolidation requirements.
Aside from this, the House committee on transportation also checked on accusations that a bribery scheme was in place to facilitate the processing of franchises.
At the tail end of 2023, several transport strikes were held in protest of the PUVMP as operators and drivers lamented that the government subsidies were not enough as they could not shoulder the high costs of the modern jeepneys.
