DOTr vows to address operators, drivers' issues amid PUV modernization

Even as he stood firm that the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program will continue, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Tuesday that proposals on how to address the concerns of PUV drivers and operators will come out soon.

At a press conference, Dizon said that he has yet to be briefed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the current status of the PUV modernization. He also plans to meet with transport stakeholders, particularly jeepney drivers and operators, to better understand their plight.

“We will push for modernization of public utility vehicles. There’s no doubt about that. But we need to address issues—practical, pragmatic issues—that affect our operators and our drivers. That is a major issue. We cannot just impose this on them unilaterally. We cannot, we need them, they are a partner in this,” Dizon said.

Dizon issued the statement after transport group PISTON held a protest rally in San Juan City earlier on Tuesday, urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to abolish the government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Transport group PISTON protests PUV modernization program anew in front of DOTR Sec. Vince Dizon’s office as he begins his tenure @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/lemJzcNu4j

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) February 25, 2025

The PTMP program was introduced in 2017, mandating PUVs to have Euro 4 diesel engines to ensure roadworthiness and improved air quality.

The program required drivers and operators to consolidate under cooperatives or corporations, which will be given fresh seven-year franchises after they buy at least 10 modern jeepneys, mostly mini-buses.

PISTON argued that the PTMP is “anti-poor” and only serves the interests of big businesses.

“Kabilang sa mga iginiit natin ang maka-ilang ulit nang nalantad na kapalpakan at pagiging anti-mahirap ng PTMP,” PISTON said in a Facebook post.

(Among the issues we emphasized is the evident failure of the PTMP and it being anti-poor.)

“Katulad ng pinatalsik nating diktador noong EDSA People Power, ibabaon din natin sa ilalim ng lupa ang negosyo at maka-dayuhang PTMP at lahat ng polisiya ng pamahalaang nagsisilbi sa mga dayuhan at korporasyon, hindi sa taumbayan,” it added. 

(Just like how we kicked out a dictator during the EDSA People Power, we will also bury under the ground the PTMP and all government policies that serve foreigners and big corporations, and not the people.) 

Dizon, for his part, admitted that he has not yet fully understood the concerns of the PUV drivers and operators, thus there’s no concrete solutions yet to their problems. 

Despite this, he stressed that the PUV modernization will push through as planned. 

“I am not against modernization. No one is against modernization. We all want to modernize our transport system, that’s exactly what the President wants us to do and do quickly. But there are implications and there are factors that everybody needs to consider in the transition from the current PUV system to a modern system,” Dizon said.

“Now, that decision to suspend, to push, or any other decision that may in any form of a way forward in the future, will have to be based on real, accurate information on the ground. That is something that I do not yet have right now. Once I have it, then we can come up with some proposals on how to move forward,” he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News