(UPDATES) AT least 18 of the 23 senators are pushing to suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The call came after the July 23 hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, which concluded that the program was implemented without proper planning and that it was rushed.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who chairs the committee, and 17 other senators introduced Senate Resolution (SR) 1096 on Tuesday, July 30, to suspend the implementation of PTMP.
"There is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the program's impact to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators whose implementation will directly burden them," the resolution said.
In filing SR 1096, Tulfo and his colleagues highlighted the valid and urgent concerns of affected drivers, groups, unions and transport cooperatives, particularly issues on consolidation into cooperatives.
The senators said these small stakeholders, particularly the unconsolidated drivers, are effectively forced out of their livelihoods.
Ultimately, the senators said the Department of Transportation (DoTr) needs to give more consideration and clarification to address the concerns of affected stakeholders, especially the drivers.
As for those who were already forced or volunteered to consolidate, they are still free to ply their usual routes while a review is ongoing.
Along with Tulfo, Senate President Francis Escudero, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada authored the resolution.
Also involved are Sens. Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald de la Rosa, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
The Public Transport Modernization Program was conceived primarily to mitigate or address relevant issues, including safety, traffic congestion and air pollution.
The program calls for phasing out jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with safer, more comfortable, and more environmentally friendly alternatives over the next three years.
Currently, 220,000 jeepney units are operating throughout the country.
Replacement vehicles must have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine or an electric engine to lessen pollution. Some proposed requirements include CCTV cameras, an automated fare collection system, speed limiters and GPS monitors.
The Land Bank of the Philippines estimates that each jeepney replacement will cost around P1.4 million to P1.6 million.
However, based on an interest rate of 6 percent per year and a payment period of seven years, the actual cost of a modern jeepney would reach P2.1 million.
While reception among the general populace has been positive, some transport groups have criticized the program as it might lead to losses of jobs and businesses.