THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday assured all drivers and operators who have consolidated into cooperatives that the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) will continue despite a Senate resolution seeking to temporarily suspend its implementation.
In a statement, DOTr said it would push through with the nationwide modernization, citing the fact that the majority of the transport sector has signed up under the program.
Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the agency will enforce the directive of President Marcos Jr. to proceed with the PTMP after the deadline for consolidation lapsed last April 30.
Last Tuesday, 22 senators filed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension or deferred implementation of the program until concerns and issues raised by drivers and operators have been properly addressed.
Ortega pointed out that the issue of modernization is focused on commuter safety and comfort.
Under the PTMP, jeepney units that are 15 years old will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panel roofing.
Under the program, the road transportation system in the country would be transformed by addressing vehicle safety and quality, route network efficiency, and fleet management while providing commuters with a modern public utility vehicle that is comfortable, accessible, safe and affordable.
In a separate statement, the LTFRB said the PTMP will proceed in the absence of an official directive from the President and DOTr to suspend the program.
“We assure the drivers, operators, and stakeholders who participated in the PTMP that it will proceed as long as there is no directive coming from the President and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to halt the program,” LTFR Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said.
Guadiz added that the LTFRB respects the Senate resolution calling for the program’s temporary suspension based on the urgent concerns raised by some drivers and transport groups.
He pointed out, however, that the PTMP is the government’s response to the aggravating transport-related problems, adding the agency remains committed to providing safe and efficient service to the riding public and a better transport sector.
The LTFRB has also issued an order allowing jeepneys and Utility Vehicles to operate in some areas with less than 15 authorized units to ensure enough supply of public transportation. The agency said the low number of authorized units in some routes prompted it to allow unconsolidated jeepneys and UV express units to operate.
Under Board Resolution No. 53, the LTFRB recognized that the minimum requirement of units in particular routes has restricted jeepney and UV express operators from applying for consolidation and participating in the PTMP.
To ensure enough public transport in routes with low authorized units, the LTFRB allowed unconsolidated units to operate without filing for consolidation. However, they need to be approved by the Local Public Transport Route Plan or the Route Rationalization Plan.
In its previous issuances, the LTFRB allowed the filing of an application for consolidation with less than 15 units if the existing NAU in the route is below 15.
The number of units allowed for consolidation shall cover the existing NAU in the said route. It likewise allowed the acceptance of an application for consolidation involving less than 15 units but not lower than 10 units provided that the applicant executes an Affidavit of Undertaking to complete the remaining units within three months from the date of filing.
