MANILA, 30 March 2025 —- Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP) National President Orlando Marquez is pushing for drastic changes in the transport sector to include the inclusion of transport regulations in the Department of Education (DepEd) school
curriculum and the provision of health care and accident insurance for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) driver-operators.
Marquez said “for our drivers to be called true professionals, the DepEd should grant for the inclusion of transport regulation in the current education curriculum from grades 3 to 12.
“Even though PUV drivers have professional licenses, their knowledge compared to other professionals is lacking and needs upgrading”.
Marquez said a knowledge gap contributes to the high number of road accidents, citing data that transport accidents caused 1.8 percent of deaths in the country.
Marquez cited records from the Department of Health stating that road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death worldwide for young people highlighting the urgency of the issue.
In addition to education, LTOP is urging for the implementation of driver’s insurance coverage.
“I feel sorry for drivers who have heart attacks, heat strokes, or die while driving. They can’t even afford a coffin. The majority of our drivers don’t have insurance,” Marquez said.
While not against the Marcos Jr. administration’s plan for public transport modernization, Marquez expressed concern for operators and drivers who cannot afford new vehicles under the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).
He emphasized the lack of government support
to assist those affected by the program.
Marquez also pointed our the growing number of motorcycles on the road, attributing it partly to the decrease in jeepney ridership and the rise of motorcycle taxis like Angkas, Joy Ride and others.
Marquez, a staunch advocate of road safety believed this trend worsens traffic congestion.
The LTOP leader stressed their support for modernization, but called for a law that protects taxes collected from the public transport sector.
“These funds can be used to help the sector during the PTMP implementation,” he explained.
“Countries like Korea, Singapore, and Thailand use such taxes to fund their modernization programs.” Marquez added.
Marquez’s concerns echoed those of business groups like the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
These groups have urged the President to reconsider the PTMP, citing the high cost of modern jeepneys and the forced consolidation of franchises, which they believe goes against the spirit of cooperativism.
There are about 400,000 PUVs in all 13 regions of the country under the LTOP banner.
The PUVs under LTOP consist of 30,000 jeepneys, 2,000 buses, 2,000 UV Express vans, and the rest are tricycles, Marquez added.
