Following a nationwide transport strike, officials and members of the Region 1 Alliance of Modernized Transport Cooperatives and Corporation gathered in Dagupan City to express their full support for the government's Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

The group said they will not participate in any transport strike.

“Hindi namin sinusuportahan ang anumang strike. Actually, kahit may mga mag-strike, kayang-kaya na namin suportahan ang needs ng mga pasahero,” Jessie Quiros, president of the Dagupan City Bonuan Loop Transport Cooperative, said.

While they support the modernization program, the group raised several concerns, including the need to expedite the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), continuous government support for the modernization initiative, and subsidies for operators and drivers.

They also urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary to visit the region and assess the current state of public transport.

“Tayo sa government, makikinig tayo sa mga hiling nila. And also, valid naman ang mga hinaing nila, so makikipag-usap tayo sa national government,” LTFRB Region 1 Director Cristal Sibayan said.

According to LTFRB Region 1, around 80 percent of the LPTRP has been implemented in the region, and additional personnel have been deployed to assist provinces in completing the plan.

“Our officers are working hard para matulungan ang mga probinsya sa paggawa ng LPTRP,” Sibayan added.

As of this writing, 98 percent of public transport services in the region have been consolidated under the modernization program.