MANILA, Philippines — Amid pressures from groups and proposals to suspend the public transport modernization program, President Marcos Jr. stood firm and rejected calls to stop it, brushing off allegations that the measure has been rushed.
“I disagree with them because they say it was rushed…the modernization has been postponed seven times,” Marcos said in an interview.
Those calling for a suspension or raising objections about the modernization program are in the minority, according to the president.
The chief executive also said that 80 percent of PUV operators have joined cooperatives or corporations, allowing them to buy new vehicles.
“How can the 20 percent decide the fate of the 100 percent? Let’s listen to the majority, and the majority says we should continue,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
In a separate statement, transport group PISTON slammed the president for his “disregard” to suspend the program.
“Ignoring the Senate’s call for the suspension of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) reveals a deliberate refusal to acknowledge the suffering caused by this program,” PISTON National President Mody Floranda said in a statement.
On July 31, 22 of the 23 senators signed Senate Resolution 1096, urging the government to temporarily suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program until all concerns of jeepney drivers and operators are addressed.
The resolution noted that there were about 36,217 consolidated jeepneys. The senators said that the lack of consolidation was primarily due to the government’s inadequate information campaign to educate drivers, operators, and transport groups about the program, along with the financial burden posed by the prices of modern jeepneys.
PISTON likewise accused Marcos that his priorities only lie in “benefiting” businesses and bureaucrats “even if it means burdening hard working citizens with excessive debts and fares.”
The program seeks to replace outdated jeepneys with vehicles featuring Euro 4-compliant engines to curb pollution and phase out units that are no longer roadworthy.
This was already initiated in 2017 but several issues came in including the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the government to temporarily suspend modernizing PUVs.
Approximately 600,000 jeepney drivers are bound to lose their jobs once the program is passed.
The cost of a modern jeepney unit exceeds P2 million, a price deemed too steep for PUV drivers and operators by state-run banks LandBank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.
According to the Department of Transportation, as of May, about 81.11 percent of PUV units, or 155,513 out of 191,730, have been consolidated. This leaves 36,217 PUVs still unconsolidated.ring and seeing from the government right now. We, Filipinos, deserve better,” she said.
