The Senate committee on public services passed a resolution on Tuesday, July 23, seeking the temporary suspension of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until all the problems surrounding its implementation are resolved, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said.
The resolution was authored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo and seconded by Senate President Francis Escudero, Senator Francis Tolentino and himself, Ejercito said.
The resolution calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to temporarily suspend the PUVMP is expected to be brought before the Senate plenary on Wednesday for approval, Ejercito said.
Ejercito said he supports the modernization program for the safety and convenience of the general public but it has to be done correctly and not abruptly.
“We have to modernize and evolve our public transportation system” but we are asking that the PUVMP be put on hold until concerns on consolidation, rationalization of routes and affordable financing are resolved, he said.
He said financing packages are needed for drivers and operators to afford vehicles costing P2.5 million.*