SENATE President Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian said on Tuesday that the Department of Transportation (DoTr) must finalize a clear roadmap to ensure the long-term success of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Mr. Gatchalian said in a statement that the department needs to finish basic components of the program, such as route rationalization, which determines the necessary routes and number of public transportation units to respond to passenger demand.
During the Sept. 18 Senate hearing on the DoTr’s budget for next year, Mr. Gatchalian raised concern over the delayed completion of route rationalization studies initiated during the administration of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“We keep allocating money to [the PUVMP], but the project never gets finished. We’ve already reached a point of high oil prices. They [operators and drivers] will struggle to pay their amortization,” he concluded.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez agreed, adding that rising fuel prices will make it harder for operators and drivers to pay. He said this is why the PUVMP must push forward. — Francessca S. Abalos