TRANSPORT MODERNIZATION. Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero meets with several transport groups at the Ceremonial Hall of the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2024), Escudero clarified to leaders of Pasang Masda, LTOP, ACTO, STOP&GO, UV express, and BUSSINA the real intention of Senate Resolution 1096, which calls for the suspension and review of the Public Transport Modernization Program. (PNA photo by Wilnard Bacelonia)
MANILA – Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday clarified that the senators’ call for the suspension of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) is only for operators and drivers who have yet to comply with the program.
"Maliwanag sa posisyon ng Senado – hindi kami tutol sa modernisasyon. Ito’y dapat gawin lamang ng tama, maayos at nang may sapat na tulong sa bawat grupo na nag-consolidate – tsuper at operator (The Senate's position is clear – we are not against modernization. [The PTMP] should only be done correctly, properly, and with sufficient help to each group that consolidates – drivers and operators)," Escudero said in an interview after a meeting with leaders of various transport groups.
Escudero met with leaders of Pasang Masda, LTOP, ACTO, STOP&GO, UV express, and BUSSINA at the Ceremonial Hall of the Senate to discuss Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 1096, which was signed by 22 senators.
He told them that beneficiaries who have complied with the PTMP would not be affected by their proposed suspension of the program.
"Sinabi ko nga sa kanila, ang layunin namin ipagpaliban ito sa mga hindi pa handa, sa mga hindi pa tapos yung route plan, sa mga hindi pa nakukumbinsi ng gobyerno (I told them that our goal is to postpone it for those who are not ready, those who have unfinished route plans, and for those who have not yet been convinced by the government)," Escudero said.
He noted that more than 83 percent have complied and only a little more than 16 percent needed to be convinced to go with the modernization program.
"Hindi nila dapat ipagbawal o ideklarang kolorum itong mga rotang ito na hindi pa nagko-comply (They should not ban or declare illegitimate these routes that have not yet complied)," he said.
Escudero said he also invited other transport groups like Manibela and Piston to hear their concerns.
Roberto Martin of Pasang Masda thanked Escudero for meeting with them and clarifying the intention of SRN 1096.
"Yung amin pong ugnayan kay SP Chiz ay napakaganda at nagkaroon po ng pagliliwanag sa aming lahat na hindi po suspension, sapagkat nagkaroon po kami ng damdamin na sinususpindi. Hindi ho pala (Our meeting with Senate President Chiz was fruitful and we were all enlightened because we thought it will be totally suspended. It's not)," Martin told reporters.
Some drivers and operators who have complied with the PTMP recently conducted a unity walk along España Boulevard in Manila to protest SRN 1096. (PNA)
