Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the establishment of a new special committee to review and propose possible changes to the contentious jeepney modernization program.

The Department of Transportation’s Road Transport Sector officials, Land Transportation Office Chief Vigor Mendoza, and newly-appointed Office of Transportation Cooperatives Mon Ilagan, will compose the new committee.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which has served as the main implementer of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, was remove from the committee.

“Pwede naman nilang kausapin ang LTFRB kung kinakailangan para kumuha ng details pero I think kailangan dito ay merong fresh perspective para maintindihan ano ba ang mga problema, maintindihan ang mga pagkukulang… Dahil aminado naman tayo na marami din kailangang ayusin,” Dizon explained.

Dizon announced the creation of the committee, during a dialogue with transport group Manibela— which has been calling for the removal of current LTFRB officials for supposedly misleading the public about the number of public transport workers who have consolidated under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Despite the creation of the new committee, no leadership changes will happen at the regulatory agency.

Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena welcomed the move, saying it was a sign that the new transport chief listens to their pleas.

Valbuena hopes the DOTr will also allow the renewal of their provisional authority to operate or franchises for at least two years so that unconsolidated jeepney operators can return to plying their routes while dialogues are ongoing.

Like what he told PISTON during a prior consultation, Dizon said he believes this is fair, but noted that he would need to also wait for the final recommendations of the special committee.

“Sa aking personal na pananaw, hindi fair na alam naman nating maraming problema, maraming kailangang ayusin, pero ganun-ganun na lang, tinanggalan natin ng kabuhayan at livelihood ang ating ibang mga transport groups na hindi sumama sa programa… I’ve communicated my sentiments and my belief to the committee and they will now study what can be done and what can be decided on,” said Dizon.

The special committee is expected to submit recommendations to Dizon after a week once it finishes consultations with all stakeholders, including various transport groups and government financial institutions that are funding the transition to modern jeepney units.