LTFRB denies it falsified its modernization program data

The Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday, March 24, 2025, denied falsifying its data on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). LTFRB LOGO / STOCK

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday denied falsifying its data on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

LTFRB spokesperson Ariel Inton made the statement in response to the claim of transport group Manibela, which resumed on Monday the transport strike that it mounted since March 21, in protest over PTMP data that have been allegedly manipulated.

“There is no lie in there. Maybe it was not better explained,” Inton said in an interview with reporters in Quezon City.

As of the November 2024 deadline, 86.23 percent, or 165,334 out of 191,730 public utility vehicles (PUVs), have applied for consolidation under the PTMP, according to Inton.

PUVs consist of buses, jeepneys, UV Express and minibuses.

Manibela president and senatorial candidate Mar Valbuena said the LTFRB’s report on the consolidation data is a “complete lie.”

Valbuena noted that Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon himself admitted that the 86 percent included drivers and operators’ groups whose consolidation applications have yet to be approved.

READ: Gov’t officials fail to meet strikers over protest 

Inton, however, said that while 86.23 percent have applied, only 43 percent, or half, are already done with the consolidation.

The rest, or about 43 percent, are still finishing the process of the application of their consolidation but are nevertheless allowed to operate.

“How many are allowed to operate? The 86 percent, which is made up of 43 percent [of operators] who are done with the process, and the 43 percent whose process is ongoing,” Inton said.

Those 26,396 that have remained noncompliant are now considered “colorum,” or those that are operating without a franchise, according to him.

“If they are still doing their usual routes, they are already engaged in colorum,” Inton said.

But Inton said it’s up to the Land Transportation Office if they will be apprehended.

“That is up to the enforcement,” Inton said when asked if the non-compliant PUVs are going to be apprehended.