ILOILO City – The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI) has expressed satisfaction with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to reject the proposal to suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), previously known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
WVATCCI officials led by Rizalito Alido and Halley Alcarde traveled to Metro Manila on Wednesday morning, August 7, to submit a letter to the Office of the President, as well as the offices of senators Raffy Tulfo, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and Senate President Francis Escudero, appealing for the continuation of the modernization program.
Just hours after the letter was submitted, President Marcos issued a statement rejecting the proposed suspension, much to the group’s delight.
“We are extremely pleased with the President’s decision because it shows he listens to the majority of us in the transport sector,” Alcarde told Panay News.
He noted that the decision was unexpected, especially since 22 senators had signed Senate Resolution No. 1096, which proposed the suspension of the program.
Alcarde also hopes that the national government will address the concerns and issues raised by minority transport groups that are opposed to the modernization.
“Our focus should not only be on us, the majority, but also on the minority, hoping they will join us in supporting the modernization program,” Alcarde added.
Alido emphasized that the President’s support ensures that transport cooperatives and corporations can continue operations without worries of the program being halted.
“We are very happy with the President’s decision and are deeply grateful that he has heard us,” Alido said.
Following this development, Alcarde and Alido confirmed that WVATCCI will be securing additional minibuses.
In Iloilo City alone, under the approved Enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), there are 1,782 Number of Awarded Units (NAUs), with 520 existing minibuses and an upcoming delivery of 161 units scheduled for this year.
The letter submitted to the Palace and senators highlighted the importance of continuing the modernization program, stating that WVATCCI has already invested P1.702 billion, with each unit costing P2.5 million.
This investment supports 2,405 employees, providing a total daily income of P1,705,500 and a total monthly payroll of P44,365,000, the group stressed.
“If the proposed plan of suspension recommended by the senators is implemented, it would do more harm than good, stopping the momentum we have gained in the full implementation of Iloilo City’s LPTRP,” the letter argued.
On Monday, August 5, 480 minibuses in Iloilo City participated in a “unity caravan” on Diversion Road in Mandurriao, Iloilo City to show full support for the modernization program and oppose the proposed suspension.
Last week, President Marcos, in a media interview in Masantol, Pampanga, emphasized that the majority, or about 80 percent of PUV operators, have already followed the program by consolidating individual franchises under cooperatives or corporations to facilitate the acquisition of new, environmentally friendly transport vehicles.
“The modernization has been postponed seven times, and those objecting and asking for suspension are in the minority. We should listen to the majority, and the majority says we should continue,” Marcos said.
This decision comes amid concerns raised by 22 senators over the program’s supposed unplanned and rushed implementation, as highlighted in Senate Resolution No. 1096.
But according to the Department of Transportation, the consolidation rate under the program has already reached 83.38 percent, with the Office of Transport Cooperatives accrediting 1,781 cooperatives with 262,870 members.
The government is now finalizing the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) or route rationalization component of the PUVMP, which will determine the number of PUV units to serve a particular route./PN
