Jeepney drivers and operators camp at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on the first day of a three-day transport strike, April 29, 2024, against the deadline for consolidation of jeepney franchises under the PUV Modernization Program. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File  

MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday rejected senators' call to halt the public transport modernization program (PTMP). 

Twenty-two senators recently sought the program's suspension due to supposed insufficiency of the government’s information drive on the PTMP and the financial burden on drivers and operators to procure modern jeepneys.

Senators seek temporary suspension of PUV modernization program

"I disagree with them because sinasabi nila minadali. This has been postponed seven times, the modernization has been postponed for seven times," Marcos said. 

He added that around 80 percent of operators have complied with the PUVMP's requirement to consolidate into cooperatives for easier processing of bank loans to buy modern jeeps.

DOTr says with 83% consolidation rate, no need to suspend PUV modernization program

"Those that have been objecting or have been crying out and asking for suspension are in the minority," the President said. 

"Pakinggan natin ang majority at ang majority sinasabi ituloy natin," he said.

DOTr says Filipino transport groups 'supportive' of PUV modernization program

WHAT SENATE CHIEF SAYS

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he respected Marcos’ decision to continue the PTMP. 

“That’s what you call separation of powers and different divisions of government. It’s okay to have different opinions, okay lang lang na magkaroon ng iba't ibang pananaw ang iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan,” Escudero said. 

He added that the resolution signed by 22 senators only aimed to suspend the program instead of totally stopping its implementation. Senators can no longer take back the resolution, he said. 

“Ang hinihiling ng Senado ay simple, ayusin n’yo na muna bago n’yo lubusang tuluyang ipagbawal lahat,” Escudero said. 

“Napasa na ‘yan (resolution)... Hindi naman puwedeng i-reverse din yun. Ito ang pananaw at tingin namin, hindi namin sinasabing tama, perpekto at kami lang ang magaling. Ito’y nagsisilbi lamang na paalala sa executive branch,” he continued. 

Escudero said that even if the President denied the resolution, the transportation department cannot fully implement the modernization program due to lack of enough budget.  

“With or without his rejection of that call, hindi naman din kayang ipatupad ng DOTr dahil ni wala silang hinihinging pera para ipatupad talaga sa lahat yun eh. Umamin mismo ang DOTr sa hearing, sana matanong din sila ng Pangulo, sabi nila sa 2028 pa kasi lubusang mapapatupad ‘to kaya doon pa lang namin hihilingin yung budget na kailangan,” Escudero said. 

“Ang nais kong marinig mula sa DOTR, ipapatupad nila nang maayos ito, at hindi pupwersahing ipagbawal ang hindi pa naman nila kayang ipatupad na programa kaugnay ng tradisyunal na jeep, yun lamang naman ang hinihiling namin mula sa kanila,” the Senate chief added. 

Meanwhile, transport group Piston said Marcos’ decision “reveals a deliberate refusal to acknowledge the suffering caused by this program.” 

The government launched the PUV modernization program in 2017. There have been multiple delays in its implementation due to protests and COVID-19.

Drivers opposed to the plan argue that buying a new vehicle will bury them in debt and they will not be able to earn enough money to repay their loans and make a living.

While jeepneys now vie with buses, vans and motorbikes for passengers, they are still a common sight and sound in the country.

Often brightly painted and with an exhaust that sounds like a trumpet, jeepneys cost passengers as little as P13 to ride and their second-hand diesel truck engines are easy to fix.

The modern mini-buses the government would like to replace them with are more high-tech, with European emission standard engines or electric motors, WiFi, CCTV and air-conditioning.

-- With report from Pia Gutierrez and Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse