ILOILO City – The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI) may join a nationwide transport holiday if the government will suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
WVATCCI appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. not to suspend the program during a press conference on Monday afternoon, July 29, in response to plans by Senate President Francis Escudero and Sen. Raffy Tulfo to introduce a resolution urging the suspension of the PTMP, citing allegations of corruption.
Both senators have been vocal about pausing the contentious program until all related issues are resolved.
Halley Alcarde, general manager of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC), expressed disappointment with the senators’ stance, noting their long-standing opposition to the modernization initiative.
Alcarde highlighted the significant investments already made by cooperatives, including bank loans by WVTC to purchase 95 units of mini-buses valued at a total of P200 million.
He emphasized the commitment of modernized transport operators across the Philippines to comply with government programs, describing the potential suspension as a setback that undermines both the operators’ efforts and the manufacturers of modernized jeepneys.
Rizalito Alido, president of WVATCCI, shared the hope that the President will hear their plea to continue the program. He warned of a potential transport holiday involving mini buses and traditional jeepneys under WVATCCI on August 5 if the government does not act favorably before then.
Perfecto Yap, advisor and consultant to Joroshely Transport Services and WVATCCI, raised concerns about the impact of a program suspension on employment, noting that 3,205 employees, including drivers and passenger assistance officers, particularly in Iloilo City, could lose their jobs.
Yap also pointed out the significant benefits the modernization program has already brought to commuters, advocating for its continuation.
Winefredo Dubliso Jr., general manager of the Alliance for Peace Sustainable Development Transport Cooperative, called for government support in addressing specific corruption issues within the program rather than suspending it entirely.
Dubliso urged the government to listen to the majority of transport groups who support the modernization, rather than a minority opposing it.
Dubliso also suggested that the Senate or relevant government bodies, such as the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA), should investigate any specific cooperative or entity involved in corruption without implicating all cooperatives./PN
