SENATOR Grace Poe on Wednesday expressed hope that long-standing concerns about the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) would finally be addressed, following Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon’s decision to review the program.
“For more than seven years, we have urged the DOTr to fix the modernization program before imposing any deadlines,” Poe said in a statement.
She criticized past DOTr officials for making “false promises,” which led the Senate to pass a resolution opposing the phaseout of traditional jeepneys.
Since 2019, Poe has consistently pushed for Senate Bill No. 105, advocating for a fair and humane transition under the PUVMP.
Key issues remain unresolved, including unclear route plans, the high cost of modern jeepneys, reliance on foreign designs, and insufficient subsidies for drivers. The program also had a low utilization rate, using only 53% of its PHP7.5 billion budget from 2018 to 2024.
With PHP1.6 billion allocated this year, Poe urged the DOTr to efficiently address these issues.
Dizon acknowledged the challenges and emphasized the need for open dialogue with transport stakeholders to ensure modernization is fair, inclusive, and properly planned.
“It’s time for the DOTr to listen and create a just path for modernization,” Poe said.