Mang Rodolfo, a jeepney driver for 20 years, prepares to ply his route on the Pasig-Taguig area in January 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) — Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he will meet with transport groups on their concerns on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Dizon, who took his oath of office on Friday, said that while there is no question that the country’s public transport system needs upgrading, it is also important for the government to acknowledge the sector’s issues to find the best way forward.

“Naniniwala naman po ako na ang ating mga jeepney operators, hindi nila hahadlangan ang pag-unlad, hindi nila hahadlangan ang modernisasyon. Pero kung mayroon din silang lehitimong concerns na kailangang pakinggan ng gobyerno,” he said. 

(I believe that our jeepney operators are not against development, they are not against modernization. But if they have legitimate concerns, the government needs to listen) 

Among the concerns raised by transport groups like Manibela and Piston, which have mounted protests against the program, are the cost of new units and the low subsidy offered by the government to buy them. 

Dizon however also said the program which will eventually replace the traditional jeepneys must continue.

“Hindi puwede ding iwanan na lang natin sa kinagisnan natin iyong ating mga jeepneys at iba pang nandiyan sa kalye natin. Kailangang mag-improve iyon.”

Piston on Friday said while they do not oppose industry advancement, they are against the "contrived modernization" in the program that required drivers and operators to consolidate franchises under cooperatives or corporations.

The group claimed that this requirement "[displaced] livelihood of thousands of small operators and drivers" and most operators are supposedly "coerced" to consolidate due to fear of losing their jobs.

"Most operators who joined the [PMTP] were coerced after the government repeatedly threatened to strip them of their livelihoods," said Mody Floranda, the national president of Piston.

Calling the program "flawed", Floranda said drivers and operators are being "burdened" with debt due to overpriced imported units.

The program which started in 2017 requires drivers and operators to consolidate under cooperatives. They would be given new seven-year franchises once they buy at least 10 modern jeepneys with Euro 4 diesel engines.

The government said this was to ensure roadworthiness and reduce air pollution. Some transport groups meanwhile have insisted on "upgrading" their units instead of replacing them completely.

Piston called on the DOTr to:

- Allow all PUVs, including those who refused to consolidate, to renew their registrations without delay  

- Abolish the franchise consolidation requirement

- Restore the five-year franchise validity for all PUVs  

- Scrap the PTMP

"In the long term, if the DOTr is serious about modernizing public transport, it must begin steps toward nationalizing the sector by seriously reviewing and terminating all privatization contracts that undermine the efficiency and affordability of public transport as a public good," Floranda added.

Manibela meanwhile earlier urged Dizon to suspend the implementation of the jeepney modernization program and restore the franchises of unconsolidated jeepney operators.

The group said it hopes to restart the dialogue with the government on PUV modernization under the new transportation chief.

The Department of Budget and Management said in 2024 that the PTMP is not in DOTR's priority projects in 2025.

Jeepney modernization may mean higher fares, fewer routes: Think tank

Budget chief: Jeepney modernization not on DOTr’s 2025 priority list

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