Transport sector leaders supporting the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) no longer expect the Senate to continue stalling the program’s implementation after meeting with Senate President Chiz Escudero earlier this week.
In an Interview, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) national president Orlando Marquez Sr. said heads of the so-called “Magnificent 7” transport organizations met with Escudero at the latter’s office on Wednesday afternoon to make a case for the PTMP.
During the discussions, transport leaders managed to assuage the Senate President’s apprehensions about the modernization program’s affordability to smaller operators, who may lack the financial resources to comply with vehicle upgrade requirements.
“It’s really those China-made mini busses masquerading as jeepneys that are fueling fears about affordability. They cost around P4 million and don’t resemble the iconic jeepney at all. The modern jeepneys we are promoting (similar in appearance to traditional jeepneys but have Euro 4 compliant engines) can be purchased for less than P2 million,” Marquez explained in Filipino.
Meanwhile, Marquez pointed out the 3-day transport strike instigated by Manibela and Piston failed anew because the two groups represent only a small portion of the local transport sector.
Scheduled from Aug. 14 to 16, the strike was intended to paralyze the movement of commuters in protest of President Marcos’ decision to go ahead with the PTMP.
“They (Manibela and Piston) can scream and dance in the streets all they want but they are still a minority (of the transport sector). The majority of our sector is already heavily invested in modernization… there is no turning back,” added Marquez.
The “Magnificent 7” is composed of LTOP, Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and UV Express National Alliance of the Philippines.
