Senator: PTMP achievable with adequate gov’t support

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Gatchalian urged the government to also provide support to drivers in terms of retraining, livelihood options, and social protection.  (File photo: Yannes Kiefer/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) will succeed if there is enough support from the government.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, one of the 22 who signed the resolution recommending the temporary suspension of PTMP for further review, emphasized the need for enhanced financial assistance for operators and drivers.

“The government should ensure a smooth transition, alleviate the financial burden of transport operators and drivers, and launch a comprehensive and thorough information campaign,” Gatchalian said in a news release Friday.

He cited other program components, like route rationalization and consolidating the remaining 17 percent of jeepneys, Unified Vehicle (UV) Express, Filcabs (type of motor Asian utility vehicle) and buses into cooperatives.

“The birthing pains are unavoidable if we want to achieve a meaningful transformation of our transport sector. Still, we should be willing to sit down and help address the pain points,” he said.

Gatchalian urged the government to also provide support to drivers in terms of retraining, livelihood options, and social protection.