DUMPER PTDA Party-list Rep. Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim is eyeing a meeting with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista on possible interventions amid the controversial Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

This wax bared by Bautista-Lim Saturday, March 4, even as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. himself said that the program needs to be improved.

In the meeting with the DOTr chief, Bautista-Lim plans to bring up proposals such as purchasing locally-made modernized jeeps aside from importation, offering longer financing terms and increasing subsidies.

The modern jeeps are being tapped to replace the old, traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs). However, these modern jeeps are expensive, and the switch to the new way--through consolidation--has been a huge problem for PUJ drivers.

In fact, PUJs are set to launch a nationwide strike next week.

DUMPER PTDA, which stands for Drivers United for Mass Progress and Equal Rights-Philippine Taxi Drivers Association, has relayed to the DOTr that it is willing to provide “libreng sakay” or free rides in case the transport strike pushes through as anticipated.

At any rate, Bautista-Lim assured PUJ drivers and operators that the advent on modern jeeps do not equate to the phase out of traditional jeepneys by Dec. 31 this year.

“No less than Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified that consolidation does not mean the end of the line for traditional jeepneys. The deadline set is for operators and drivers to either form or join cooperatives or incorporate themselves into collective juridical entities,” the lady lawmaker stressed.

Bautista-Lim, a vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation, added: “We in government are sensitive to the plight of the transport sector. We are after the welfare not only of operators and drivers of PUVs but the riding public as well. Contrary to misinformation, ‘consolidation’ does not equate to phasing out traditional jeepneys."