DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista (file)

Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista sent Senate President Chiz Escudero a 101-page letter (including attachments), dated July 29, 2024, days before Senate Resolution no. 1096 (filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo) was signed by 22 senators.

Sec. Bautista said DOTr shares the Senate Committee on Public Services’ focus on enhancing public welfare and that “continuing the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) aligns with our common goal of benefiting the community and advancing public welfare.”
Sec. Bautista insists that the overall impact of the PTMP since its inception in 1992 has been overwhelmingly positive. DOTr has been actively addressing some isolated issues through ongoing review and stakeholders consultations. “We remain committed to refining the Program to better meet the needs of our stakeholders.”

However, “suspending PTMP at this stage of its implementation could disrupt services for many who depend on its benefits. This could undermine progress and damage relationships with stakeholders, particularly given that a significant percentage have already consolidated.” Also, significant resources have already been invested in developing and implementing the PTMP.

In 2024, government already appropriated P1.6 billion for the Program, with utilization rate at 53% of the total P7.5 billion budget from 2018 to 2024. “Suspending the Program now risks wasting these investments and incurring additional costs to reestablish similar initiatives in the future.”

As of April 30, 2024, there are 6,090 consolidated routes. Out of 1,574 LGUs nationwide, 71% have submitted their draft LPTRPs for DOTr/LTFRB review and approval.

As of July 17, 2024, 11,165 Philippine National Standards-compliant modern jeepneys/vehicles are operating nationwide; 80 modern PUV models are offered by 28 manufacturers/assemblers, of which 58% are locally assembled by 16 manufacturers. As of April 30, 2024, nationwide consolidation reached 83.38%; the Office of Transport Cooperatives has accredited 1,781 cooperatives with 262,870 members.

A total of 42,352 beneficiaries received social support from the Program’s Tsuper Iskolar Program (TESDA training), while 10,867 beneficiaries benefitted from the EnTSUPERneur Program (livelihood package).

The Program’s last component – Vehicle Useful Life – establishes a long-term vehicle scrappage process, wherein government will purchase the old jeepney units from operators for a fixed and attractive price to help them finance the acquisition of new units.