![POE BLASTS DOTr OVER PUV MODERNIZATION MISSES: Committee on Public Services chairperson Sen. Grace Poe chides the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its failures in implementing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), particularly in providing aid for affected PUV drivers, years since its launch. Poe took the floor Monday, December 11, 2023 to lament the lack of provisions protecting and supporting some 300,000 PUV drivers next year. The senator, who also defended the DOTr's proposed budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), said only P1.6 billion was allocated for the PUVMP. Her estimates, on the other hand, showed that a total of P750 billion is required to subsidize the consolidation of PUVs and replacement of dilapidated units. Poe also hit the DOTr for missing its own targets, while setting strict deadlines for the PUV drivers and operators. "Where is government in this modernization? The audacity of DOTr to set deadlines when it cannot help [our drivers]," Poe said in Filipino. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit) visa fake firms](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2023/12/Grace-Poe-12dec2023_2-620x413.jpg)
Committee on Public Services chairperson Sen. Grace Poe (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation officials must be ready to face “scrutiny” on the impact of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) as well as the utilization of the P200-million fund for drivers’ livelihood assistance, Senator Grace Poe said on Saturday.
In a statement, Poe said that she has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide detailed information on the status and revised timeline of the PUVMP and its components; updated data on consolidated jeepneys; and information on routes being serviced, affected routes, and contingency plans.
READ: Suspend PUV modernization, support local jeep makers, gov’t urged
“The consolidation deadline is not the end of the road for raising our concerns on the jeepney modernization. We will keep an eye on its implementation,” Poe, who heads the Senate committee on public services, said.
The senator added that she also sought the DOTr’s plan for the drivers who lost their livelihoods due to the program and how well programs like Entrepreneur and Tsuper Iskolar are being implemented to help them.
Poe said she urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to set up help desks nationwide to quickly assist PUV drivers who did not join the program.
READ: No Supreme Court order vs PUV scheme deadline
“Kasi sa ngayon, parang merong disconnect o hindi pagkakaintindihan dahil nga hindi malinaw ang programa,” she added.
(Because right now, there seems to be a disconnect or misunderstanding due to the unclear nature of the program.)
Moreover, Poe stressed that the DOTr has yet to submit the reports that she was requesting from the agency before the implementation of the PUVMP.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa mga tsuper, alam naman ninyo na sa simula pa lang, ‘yung mga sinasabi ko sa DOTr na dapat isumite nila bago nila implementa ‘yung programa, ay gawin nila. Kaya lang ang nakakalungkot nito, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nila natutupad,” she said.
(To our fellow countrymen, especially to the drivers, you all know that from the very beginning, the things I’ve been telling the DOTr they should submit before implementing the program, they should do. However, it’s sad that until now, they still haven’t fulfilled them.)
“Hanggang ngayon, pinaglalaban ko pa na sana mas tumaas ang subsidiya ng gobyerno. Pangalawa, ay sana ‘yung mga sasakyan, mas mura at gawa dito sa Pilipinas. Pangatlo, ay bigyan kayo ng maayos na pondo para naman dun sa hindi makakapag-consolidate, merong alternatibong livelihood program,” she added.
(Until now, I am still advocating for the government subsidy to increase. Secondly, I hope that vehicles become cheaper and are made here in the Philippines. Thirdly, I hope you are given proper funding so that for those who cannot consolidate, there will be an alternative livelihood program.)
Furthermore, Poe vowed to inquire about the utilization of funds from past training programs for drivers due to reports that millions of pesos were not used.
“Hindi tayo mananahimik sa isyu na ito dahil ang ating mga kababayang commuters at maliliit na drivers and pinaka-apektado rito. Hindi pwedeng adapt or perish ang sitwasyon dito,” she said.
(We will not remain silent on this issue because our fellow commuters and small drivers are the most affected here. This situation cannot be adapt or perish.)
“Kaya ang magagawa namin ngayon ay talagang ipatawag ang DOTr palagi at siguro sa susunod na budget ay pukpukin at talagang singilin sila doon sa mga hindi nila nagawa,” Poe added.
(So what we can do now is consistently summon the DOTr, and perhaps in the next budget, we will really push and demand accountability for the things they haven’t accomplished.)