MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pursuing with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) despite the Senate’s desire to temporarily suspend it.
According to Undersecretary Andy Ortega, they intend to pursue the jeepney modernization program, but is ready to work on the issues raised by stakeholders.
“We always respect our colleagues or friends sa Senado po. So ‘yung resolution na inahain nila I do believe pupunta po ‘yan sa Malacañang, sa ating Pangulo, and our President will make the decision regarding that resolution,” Ortega told GMA 7’s Unang Balita on Thursday.
“On the part of the DOTr, we are pursuing the program because we know kaya po nating ayusin ang lahat ng problema while…ongoing po ‘yung programa natin,” he added.
Ortega further said that consolidated PUV operators and drivers must continue their operation despite the Senate resolution.
“Ang sasabihin namin tuloy lang because that’s the order of the President, that’s the order of the Secretary. We have to pursue this program dahil alam po natin we can talk, we can fix and we can improve what we have been doing for the past year,” he said.
He added: “Kaya po nating ituloy ang programa ngunit nag-uusap po tayo to improve further. Tulungan po tayo dito. Kailangan po nating ituloy ang programa,” he added.
On Wednesday, 22 of the 23 senators signed proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP, which is now called Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
According to the senators, there are concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design “in favor of so-called modern jeepneys”, low percentage of approved routes, among others, in the resolution.
The PUVMP, which started in 2017, aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are not deemed roadworthy./ PN
