Francis Escudero —Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero met on Wednesday with transport groups to clarify the chamber’s stand on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), previously known as Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Present during the meeting are members of the so-called Magnificent 7, which is composed of the biggest transport groups in the country.
“Dahil sa resolusyon ng Senado kaugnay sa paghiling na ipagpaliban ang modernization program at dahil sa naging reaksyon ng ilang sektor at grupo, minabuti kong pulungin ang grupong Magnificent 7,” Escudero told reporters in a press conference after the meeting.
(Because of the Senate’s resolution in relation to our call to suspend the modernization program and because of the reaction of some sectors and groups, I’ve decided to meet the group Magnificent 7.)
READ: PUV modernization still on as Marcos thumbs down Senate call to suspend
“At sinabi ko nga sa kanila, ang layunin namin ay ipagpaliban ito sa mga hindi pa handa, sa mga hindi pa tapos ang route plan, sa mga hindi pa nakukumbinsi ng gobyerno, hindi nila dapat ipagbawal o ideklarang kolorum itong mga rutang ito na hindi pa nagco-comply,” he emphasized.
(And I told them, our goal is to postpone it to those who are not ready, to those who have not finished the route plan, to those who have not yet been convinced by the government, they should not ban or declare these routes illegal while they have yet to comply.)
According to the Senate chief, 83 percent of drivers and operators have complied with the government program, adding that members of Magnificent 7 are part of it.
Escudero emphasized that the Senate is not seeking to postpone PTMP for those who have already complied.
“Pero doon sa nananatiling humigit kumulang 16 percent, ‘yan ang tinitingnan namin kung paano sila makukumbinsi, mae-engganyo at mahihikayat na sumama sa modernization nang hindi nagtatakutan, naggigipitan, o naggigirian,” said Escudero.
(But for the remaining 16 percent, that’s what we’re looking at, how to convince them, entice and encourage them to join the modernization without fear, pressure, or oppression.)
Apart from Magnificent 7, Escudero said he would also meet with transport groups Manibela and Piston to listen to their complaints and demands in relation to PTMP.
“Maliwanag sa posisyon ng Senado, hindi kami tutol sa modernisasyon — ito ay dapat gawin lang nang tama, maayos, at nang may sapat na tulong sa bawat grupo na nag consolidate — tsuper at operator,” said Escudero.
(It’s clear in the position of the Senate, we are not against modernization – this should be done, but it should be done right with enough aid to each group that underwent consolidation — including drivers and operators.)
“Yun ang dahilan ng mahabang usapan namin kanina. Dahil nga hindi naman perpekto ang programa, sila’y sumunod sa gobyerno, sumunod sa patakaran ng gobyerno, pero marami pa ring pagkukulang na dapat punuan. Bagay na tatalakayin ko rin kay Sec. [Jaime] Bautista sa lalong madaling panahon,” he added.
(That’s the reason for our long talk earlier. Because the program is not perfect, they obeyed the government, obeyed the government’s policy, but there are still many gaps that must be filled. It’s something that I will also discuss with Sec. [Jaime] Bautista as soon as possible.)