MANILA — The Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) along with transport leaders, cooperatives, and corporations nationwide are in full force supporting the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
PTMP is the government’s flagship program to modernize the country’s transport industry led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
LTOP National President Marquez said “for too long, the Philippines has been behind with other countries when it comes to safe and efficient public transport. We believe the PTMP is the only way forward to improve our lives and uplift the entire transport sector”.
Marquez has outlined the following reasons why the need To modernize our transport sector:
-Convenience and Safety
Modern vehicles offer safer, more comfortable rides with air-conditioning, CCTV, and cashless payment options.
-Better for the Environment
These vehicles are cleaner and help reduce air pollution.
-Stronger Livelihood
Modernization helps cooperatives grow, become legal, and create stable income for member-operators
-Support for National Progress
A well-organized transport sector helps the whole country move forward.
Challenge to Manibela and PISTON
“We
challenge Manibela and PISTON to be transparent and show real, verified data”, Marquez said.
Do they really have members in all regions?
How many working units do they actually operate?
We urge LTFRB to investigate and verify these claims. We cannot let a small group block a program that is meant to help millions of Filipinos, he said.
Call to Action: What Must Be Done
For PTMP to succeed, we ask the government to focus on these key areas:
-Help Cooperatives Get Modern Units
-Give financial aid, incentives, and flexible programs, especially for cooperatives in the provinces.
-Provide Clear Guidance and Mentoring
-Small coops need help understanding the process. Agencies like OTC and CDA should offer clear, step-by-step assistance.
-Improve Government Coordination
-Agencies like LGUs, DILG, DOTr, LTFRB, LTO, OTC, and CDA must work together to provide simple, fast solutions for operators.
Important Facts
86 percentof the transport sector is already consolidated.
The remaining 14% includes units that are no longer running old, junked, or impounded.
Only 5 percent belongs to Manibela or PISTON.
These 86 percent want to move forward.
Many even sold personal property just to comply and support the program.
Consolidation has been extended nine times.
Manibela and PISTON had more than enough chances to join. Their refusal shows they don’t really want to be part of the program, Marquez said.
We will not allow fear or threats to stop progress.
There is always a solution but not through conflict or noise.
A Clear Request
We humbly ask for a face-to-face dialogue with Secretary Vince Dizon to help put an end to this issue once and for all.
If the problems being raised by Manibela and PISTON are only in NCR, then please do not include other regions. What is happening in NCR is not the same in other provinces.
Final Message
“Let us stand together as one transport sector. Let us prove that we are serious in our mission to modernize and move forward, he said.
We trust in the leadership of Secretary Vince Dizon and we are ready for honest dialogue. We are willing to meet anytime because the time for progress is now, Marquez added.
