Senate wants suspension of transport modernization program

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is pushing for the suspension of the implementation of the public transport modernization program, after learning that it has been rushed and without proper planning.

This move against the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly the PUV Modernization Program, came after the revelation at the public hearing on July 23 that the PTMP implementation did not benefit from adequate planning.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Services, and 17 other senators introduced Senate Resolution (SR) 1096 that seeks a thorough review of the PTMP.

«There is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the program's impact to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators whose implementation will directly burden them.»

In filing SR 1096, Tulfo and his colleagues highlighted the valid and urgent concerns of affected drivers, groups, unions, and transport cooperatives, particularly issues on consolidation.

The senators said these small stakeholders, particularly the unconsolidated drivers, were effectively forced out of their livelihoods. They claim that the government's insufficiency of information causes this drive to educate affected parties, and on the burden of financing modern PUV units.

They pointed out that the Department of Transportation (DoTr) needs to give more consideration, and to address the concerns of affected drivers and small operators.

As for those who were forced or volunteered to consolidate, they were still free to take their usual routes while a review was ongoing, the senators said.