MANILA (UPDATED) -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said he has ordered the establishment of a new special committee tasked to review and propose possible changes to the controversial jeepney modernization program.

The committee is composed of the Department of Transportation's Road Transport Sector officials, Land Transportation Office Chief Vigor Mendoza, and newly-appointed Office of Transportation Cooperatives Mon Ilagan.

Absent from the list is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which has served as the main implementer of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

“Pwede naman nilang kausapin ang LTFRB kung kinakailangan para kumuha ng details pero I think kailangan dito ay merong fresh perspective para maintindihan ano ba ang mga problema, maintindihan ang mga pagkukulang… Dahil aminado naman tayo na marami din kailangang ayusin,” explained Dizon.

The order was released on the same day that Dizon, along with the committee, held a dialogue with transport group Manibela— which has been calling for the removal of current LTFRB officials for supposedly misleading the public about the number of public transport workers who have consolidated under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

But Dizon clarified that there will be no leadership changes at the regulatory agency.

“Hindi ibig sabihin nito ay magkakaroon tayo ng mga pagbabago sa LTFRB. I’m saying that categorically. Pero kailangan mag-focus tayo sa talagang napakalalim at unbiased review ng modernization program at magagawa lang natin ‘to kung mga bagong tao at bagong mukha,” he added.

Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena welcomed the move, saying it was a sign that the new transport chief listens to their pleas.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo dahil hiling natin ito sa Secretary nung nakaraang linggo pa. Agad na niyang tinugunan so dito pa lang masasabi na natin na nakikinig siya dahil nga may bago na tayo makakausap na set ng opisyal ng DOTr,” he said.

RENEWAL OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY?

Valbuena hopes the DOTr will also allow the renewal of their provisional authority to operate or franchises for at least two years so that unconsolidated jeepney operators can return to plying their routes while dialogues are ongoing.

“Kasi ano nga ba naman ang hanapbuhay namin kung hindi ie-extend ang provisional authority? Ano nga ba naman ang masasakyan ng taumbayan kung nangongolorum kami, na hindi safe yung masasakyan ng taumbayan dahil wala tayong kaukulang dokumento, wala tayong insurance?” said Valbuena.

Like what he told PISTON during a prior consultation, Dizon said he believes this is fair, but noted that he would need to also wait for the final recommendations of the special committee.

“Sa aking personal na pananaw, hindi fair na alam naman nating maraming problema, maraming kailangang ayusin, pero ganun-ganun na lang, tinanggalan natin ng kabuhayan at livelihood ang ating ibang mga transport groups na hindi sumama sa programa… I’ve communicated my sentiments and my belief to the committee and they will now study what can be done and what can be decided on,” said Dizon.

The special committee is expected to submit recommendations to Dizon after a week once it finishes consultations with all stakeholders, including various transport groups and government financial institutions that are funding the transition to modern jeepney units.

Sen. Grace Poe said the review was a chance to make the PUV modernization program "just, humane and right. "

"We trust the DOTr-led review body will tap transportation and commuters groups, private sector, local government units, academe, and other concerned stakeholders to produce a comprehensive outlook of the modernization situation and appropriate solutions," she said in a statement.

But Poe said the review should also look into the situation of the drivers and operators reeling from financial losses because of the exorbitant cost of the jeepney units.

"We need a modernization program that will ensure that everybody is on board," she said.

— With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News