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Headlines
22 solons want PUVMP halt
By Nidz Godino
"Those who did not participate in consolidation are now considered as colorum or operating illegally and run risk of being fined and their vehicles impounded should drivers continue to ply their routes," twenty-two senators have signed resolution calling for suspension of Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
In Senate Resolution 1096, senators "expressed sense of Senate to suspend implementation of Public Transport Modernization Program, formerly known as PUV modernization program, pending resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected drivers, groups, unions and transport cooperatives with the end in view of ensuring more efficient and inclusive implementation of PTMP."
Senators who signed resolution are Senate President Francis Escudero, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Raffy Tulfo, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros did not sign resolution, has enough votes to be approved in the plenary.
Hontiveros has yet to issue statement explaining her decision.
In seeking suspension of program, senators cited thousands of drivers and operators who have yet to join as of April 30, deadline of program.
Senators said still 36,217 jeepneys and other public utility vehicles that have yet to be consolidated under the program, and that only 174 of the total 1,574 local government units have approved their local public transport route plan.
They cited lack of information drive to educate drivers, as well as hefty price tag of new units as reasons for "high figure of unconsolidated units."
"These small stakeholders, particularly drivers who remain unconsolidated, are effectively forced out of their livelihoods, with most of them expressing that the only skill they have is driving," they stressed.
PUVMP also seeks to "phase out" "iconic jeepney design" and replace these with "so-called modern jeepneys that are merely mini-buses imported from other countries."
"While PTMP is integral to traffic management solution, there is urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess impact of program, to alleviate fears of drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation, while intent of PTMP is laudable, continuing with program without threshing out these concerns would go against constitutional directive of promoting social justice in all phases of national development," senators said.
Escudero has expressed confidence President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will listen to Senate's sentiment in the same way he heeded call to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators.
Transport groups have lauded Senate resolution.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) lauded resolution, it claimed as win following eight-year fight against modernization program.
"We are glad because we know decision of senators is result of our determination and joint action," PISTON president Mody Floranda said.
Floranda stressed suspension would greatly benefit drivers and operators whose livelihoods suffered from modernization.
Thousands of drivers and operators effectively lost their franchises and authority to operate following consolidation deadline last April.
Data from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier showed about 10,000 have not consolidated nationwide, including 1,900 jeepneys in Metro Manila.
"It is necessary to push administration to end PUVMP because many are suffering and will lose their livelihood," Floranda said.
Transport group Manibela also welcomed resolution that called for suspension of PUVMP.
They thanked 22 senators who signed Senate Resolution 1096 as they hope Marcos will listen to the resolution.
Transport group is set to hold nationwide caravan to compel Marcos to suspend PUVMP.
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