PUVMP removes Philippines from Third World status – transport group

MANILA, Philippines — Compliance with the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) is necessary for the Philippines to not be considered a Third World country, a transport group claimed.

“We are already delayed in our modernization program. This is the reason why we are still being categorized as a Third World country. The modernization is included in the qualifications for us to be removed from the third world country,” Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas president Orlando Marquez Sr. said yesterday in a radio interview.

President Marcos earlier approved a three-month extension, or until April 30, for the consolidation of PUVs.

The deadline for the consolidation – a key component of the PUVMP – lapsed last Dec. 31, 2023.

The crackdown on colorum or unauthorized public utility jeepneys was supposed to start on Feb. 1.

Marquez said that while he supports the extension, he is opposing the PUVMP provision in which the entire cooperative will be suspended if one member commits violations.

Other transport groups have criticized the PUVMP amid the phaseout of traditional jeepneys, such as the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or Piston led by its president Mody Floranda and Manibela led by Mar Valbuena.

Floranda said that under Republic Act 4136, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation have no right to cancel PUV franchises.

Appoint traffic czar

The Philippine government should appoint a traffic czar and implement a holistic plan to address the traffic crisis in Metro Manila, according to a business group.

In a statement yesterday, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said the crisis “can be mitigated with strong political will, competent management with resolute short, medium and long-term measures.”

“Policy must reflect the reality that road space is a finite public resource which must be judiciously and efficiently used to move people, instead of private vehicles,” they added.

The group recommends the declaration of a traffic crisis and the appointment of a new traffic management team headed by a traffic czar as a first step.

In its recommended plan, Metro Manila would be organized into four traffic management zones headed by a qualified zone traffic manager. The Mabuhay Lanes would also be revived as alternate routes to relieve traffic congestion along major routes.

The group also stressed the need to comply with the National Economic Zone Authority-formulated National Transport Plan existing since 2017, to prioritize mass public transport over private vehicles as well as prioritize allocation of road space for busways.

The EDSA Busway system, they noted, has been proven as the most cost-effective urban mass transit system.

“But this EDSA Busway remains uncompleted, and must urgently and expeditiously be privatized through the public-private partnership model and brought to world-class standards,” they said.

“The Busway System must be expanded and replicated to cover other major thoroughfares, such as Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Sucat Avenue, Alabang-Zapote Road and others,” they added. — Catherine Talavera