Solon: Suspending PUV modernization unfair to compliant co-ops

A lawmaker has called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to proceed with the implementation of the public transport modernization program (PTMP), saying that suspending the program will unfairly punish compliant cooperatives.

COOP-NATCCO party-list lawmaker Felipe Espares made the call in a privilege speech on Monday, saying the Senate’s position to suspend the PTMP program, which requires public utility vehicles to shift to Euro 4 diesel engine-powered vehicles and mandates drivers and operators to consolidate under one transport cooperative or corporation, will defeat the program's purpose to provide a safe and comfortable transportation.

Espares said that as of April, 83.8% or 160,668 of PUVs have already been consolidated under transport service cooperative or entities (TSE). These 160,668 PUVs are broken down to 124,172  jeepneys, 19,429 buses and minibuses, and 17,066 UV Express.

He also said that there are also 1,749 cooperatives with more than 262 members, as well as 1,088 corporations, that are already part of the program. In addition, Espares said, the running number of modern jeepneys stands at 11,197 as of July 31, 2024.

“Another suspension which will be the eighth since 2007 will only cause distrust among our stakeholders and will slow down any progress that we have already made. The suspension will certainly affect and discourage the 262,800 individual members who are already in a cooperative and those who have formed corporations,” he said.

The PTMP also provides that a new seven-year franchise to operate will be granted to each consolidated transport cooperative or corporation, not to individual jeepney operators.

Once consolidation is done, the transport entity will have to purchase a minimum of 10 modern jeepneys or minibuses, each worth from P1.6 million to P2.4 million, by securing loans—the terms of which even state-run banks said were too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

But for Espares, there is no use delaying the inevitable.

“It will only affect their loans, their livelihood, and their income. Why is it that those who have complied with the PTMP's requirements and have heeded the government calls should be penalized and be given a heavier burden than those who have not? On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, what we want is for our operators and drivers are to live comfortably,”  he said.

Espares then said that the PTMP aims to serve the best interest of the public by providing secure and convenient public transportation, reasonable daily wages for drivers without compromising affordability and reduction of traffic congestion through road rationalization.

“With all due respect, the call of some lawmakers for a suspension would not only negate the big strides the program has made, but it will also defeat the momentum and the accomplishment we have achieved. For example, those who have consolidated are already receiving regular pay and social security protection and benefits, among others,” he said.

“Indeed, the program's benefits outweigh the cost contrary to the fears of some of our countrymen,” Espares added.

Espares also said that public funds have already been allotted and spent by the Department of Transportation and its affiliated agencies for capacity building, technical service assistance, and compliance monitoring, on top of the out-of-pocket spending of the transport service cooperatives so they can meet the PTMP’s requirements.

“We all know the challenges faced during this transition period are not easy. There are challenges in accessing loans, establishing their own fleet management, hiring personnel, and meeting regulatory and compliance requirements, but they have put their trust and confidence in PTMP...that it will not only benefit them but also the commuting public. These collective efforts are already too great to sacrifice for isolated cases of dissatisfaction,” he said.

“We should not judge the effectiveness of the program based on the complaints of a few. The Filipino people deserve nothing less than progress and the cooperative movement is more than ready to support that,” Espares added. — BM, GMA Integrated News