VARIOUS transportation groups expressed their grievances against the Senate leadership.
This followed Senate President Chiz Escudero‘s statement supporting the proposed resolution to suspend the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Senator Raffy Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, plans to introduce a resolution to suspend the program.
Escudero believes that most senators will support this resolution, stating that there are issues with the program, such as the financing scheme, that need to be resolved before its implementation in the public transport sector.
‘’Instead of a bill, we can immediately pass a resolution expressing the stance of the Senate to request the President to temporarily suspend it,’’ Sen. Chiz Escudero, Senate President said.
The Senate’s plan, however, received condemnation from the “Magnificent 7,” composed of major transport groups, including Pasang Masda, LTOP, ACTODAP, ALTODAP, and other transport groups.
Obet Martin, President of Pasang Masda, deemed the Senate’s plan as unacceptable because many operators have taken loans to join cooperatives.
‘’What about those who took out loans? We will continue to fight and will not stop. We will be drowned in debt if the [Senate] suspends this,’’ Obet Martin President, Pasang Masda said.
Pro-jeepney modernization groups said that modern jeeps cost millions of pesos, which operators borrow from banks.
They also questioned why Escudero did not consult with industry players about the benefits of the PUVMP.
‘’If the Senate proceeds with the resolution regarding PUVMP, the groups will unite to hold a nationwide transport strike. The strike we will organize is a last resort because we need to act, we need to show them the force of 80 percent unity. In the National Capital Region, I’m not saying 100% but 81% will join. In our regional members nationwide, all will join,” Obet Martin added.
Transport groups also issued a warning to senators.
‘’I want to call on the ALTODAP sector and everyone that we will not vote for senators who signed the resolution,’’ Boy Vargas, National President said.
While transport groups that support PUVMP oppose Escudero’s statement, other groups reacted differently.
Manibela group, which opposes the program, the Senate President’s statement is a welcome development.
‘’We have been fighting for this for a long time because it needs to be re-studied and accepted by the transport sector. We know that it used to cost P1.4 million, but now it costs almost P3 million per unit,’’ Mar Valbuena, President, MANIBELA said.
Meanwhile, Manibela criticized the planned strike by Pasang Masda and other groups because they would still end up on the streets.
‘’They used to say that the strike was unacceptable, but now they are the ones doing it and returning to the streets. It’s their right to protest, and we understand them,’’ Valbuena added.
In a text message sent by DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ortega to SMNI News Team the Transportation Department respects Senate President Escudero’s suggestion.
However, the transport sector received this with anger and sadness from a large portion of the sector.
‘’The big majority who has embraced and followed for many years the program of this administration of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. The consolidation deadline was set by our President Marcos on April 30,’’ according to Jesus Ortega Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, DOTr.
Ortega added that they continue their communication with operators who have joined cooperatives to guide them.
‘’Capacity building or strengthening cooperatives continues. The government and the transport sector maintain communication to improve and strengthen the program for the benefit of our millions of commuters,’’ Ortega said.
To recall, after the consolidation deadline on April 30, over 80 percent of PUV operators joined cooperatives for the implementation of PUVMP.
However, a percentage of the transport sector remains opposed, which is why they did not join the program.
