MANILA – Senator Grace Poe expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) decision to review the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). She hopes that this review will address the long-standing issues that have plagued the program.
Poe highlighted that for over seven years, the DOTr has been urged to refine the PUVMP before imposing any deadlines. She criticized past DOTr officials for making unfulfilled promises, which led the Senate to pass a resolution against the phasing out of traditional jeepneys.
Since 2019, Poe has been pushing for a more equitable transition through Senate Bill No. 105. She pointed out several unresolved issues, including unclear route plans, the high cost of modern jeepneys, foreign vehicle designs, and insufficient subsidies for drivers.
She noted the program’s low utilization rate, which only reached 53 percent of its PHP7.5 billion budget from 2018 to 2024. For this year, an additional PHP1.6 billion has been allocated to the PUVMP.
Poe urged the DOTr to use these funds effectively to tackle the ongoing issues and ensure that the modernization of transport is conducted with thorough planning and consultation.
She emphasized the need for the DOTr to listen to the concerns of drivers and commuters to facilitate a humane modernization of the transport sector.
The PUVMP has been delayed due to the high cost of modern jeepneys, ranging from PHP1.7 million to PHP3.3 million per unit, which many operators and drivers find unaffordable.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon acknowledged these challenges and stressed the importance of effective government action and open dialogue with transport stakeholders to ensure a fair transition.
Dizon believes that jeepney drivers and operators are not opposed to modernization but have legitimate concerns that the government must address through intensive discussions.