DOTr: Suspending PUVMP could disrupt services

MANILA: Suspending the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) at its current stage of implementation might cause the disruption of services. 

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista shared the aforementioned sentiment through a letter to Senate President Francis Escudero dated July 29, 2024. It was sent before Senate Resolution (SR) No. 1096  was signed by 22 senators. 

To note, Senate Resolution No. 1096 is set to temporarily cease the implementation of PTMP.

“Suspending PTMP at this stage of its implementation could disrupt services for many who depend on its benefits. This could undermine progress and damage relationships with stakeholders, particularly given that a significant percentage have already consolidated,” Bautista’s letter to the Senate President said. 

As a counterpoint to the aforementioned Senate Resolution, Sec. Bautista likewise stressed that the PTMP’s impact has been overwhelmingly positive. The transport agency has also continued its mission to address isolated issues stemming from the program via consultations with stakeholders. 

Furthermore, the suspension of the program could risk squandering the resources already invested in its enactment. 

According to the DOTr, the government has already allocated P1.6 billion to the project for 2024 alone. Out of the program’s P7.5 billion budget from 2018 to the present, 53 percent was already utilized. 

“Suspending the program now risks wasting these investments and incurring additional costs to reestablish similar initiatives in the future,” Bautista said in the letter. 

Per DOTr, it has already put up 6,090 consolidated routes as of April 2024. As of July 2024, the agency reports that 11,165 Philippine National Standards-compliant modern jeepneys are already operating nationwide. The DOTr has also accredited 1,781 cooperatives, with a claimed total membership count of 262,870. 

In an act of solidarity with the DOTr, the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) has also expressed its support for the continued implementation of the PTMP. 

Through a statement, the OTC shared the positives brought about by the DOTr’s continued efforts in offering subsidies, as well as its ongoing task of reaching and hearing out the needs of the drivers and operators who will benefit from the PTMP. 

The OTC likewise praised the DOTr’s capacity-building activities and technical assistance services. The aforementioned includes the Fleet Management System Seminar, Labor Law Seminar, Driver’s Training on Road Safety and Ethics, and Financial Management Assistance, among others. 

“Sa madaling salita, malaking pondo na ang inilaan at mahabang panahon na ang ginugol ng gobyerno at ng mga ordinaryong tsuper at operator para lamang maisakatuparan ang magandang layunin ng programa (In simple terms, a lot of money and time was already invested by the government and by ordinary drivers and operators just to realize the good objectives of the prgoram),” the official OTC statement shared. 

Also read: 

DOTr clarifies PUVMP guidelines

SC junks petition to nullify PUVMP

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