Marcos stands firm behind PUVMP amid Senate suspension reso

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday stood firm behind the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) despite the Senate resolution calling for its suspension.

''I disagree with them because sinasabi nila minadali (they are claiming it was rushed). This has been postponed seven times, the modernization has been postponed for seven times and those that have been objecting or have been crying out and asking for suspension are in the minority,'' Marcos told reporters in Pampanga.

''Eighty [percent] have already consolidated so papaano naman if yung 20% ang magde-decide 'yung buhay ng 100%? So pakinggan natin ang majority at ang majority sinasabi ituloy natin,'' he added.

(Eighty percent have already consolidated, so what would happen if the 20% will decide for the 100%? So we listen to the majority and what the majority is saying is we should push through with it.) 

Twenty-two of the 23 senators have signed proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP, now called the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

In the resolution, the senators cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design "in favor of so-called modern jeepneys," low percentage of approved routes, among others.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

Around 81.11% or 155,513 of 191,730 PUV units have been consolidated as of May, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). A total of 36,217 PUVs remained unconsolidated. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News