Marred by several problems in its implementation, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) may be put to a halt as a Senate panel is set to come up with a resolution urging President Marcos to temporarily suspend it.

This idea was floated on Thursday, July 23, by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo in front of representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). He expressed his belief that the majority of senators are in support of suspending the program.

"Imbes na panukalang batas o dagdag dito, makakapagpasa tayo agad ng resolusyon expressing the sense of the Senate na hinihiling at pinapanawagan sa Pangulo na ito'y pansamantala munang suspendihin hangga't hindi nasasagot lahat ng katanungan, lahat ng problema, at lahat ng kuwestyong pinansyal kaugnay ng modernisasyong ito (Instead of a law or an additional one, we will immediately pass a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate asking the President to momentarily suspend this until all questions, problems and financial concerns regarding this modernization are addressed)," he said.

"Dahil na rin sa naging posisyon ng pangulo sa kanyang SONA (State of the Nation Address) partikular kaugnay ng POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator), May isang bagay na ipinakita si Pangulong Marcos kahapon: siya'y nakikinig, at siya'y sensitibo sa pulso at sa opinyon ng ating mga kababayan (Because of his position during his SONA particularly regarding POGOs, the President proved one thing: he's listening, and he's sensitive to the public's opinion)," he added.

Escudero said that he will help Tulfo in getting signatures and once they get the majority number, they will immediately pass the resolution this week or the next.

His opposition to the program, according to Escudero, dates back to his stint as Sorsogon's governor.

"Matagal na 'kong tutol sa PUV modernization...Hindi ito pinag-isipan, hindi ito pinaghandaan, at hindi man lang tinanong at pinakinggan yung sektor mismo ng PUV bago 'to ipinatupad. Sa madaling salita, binraso lamang po ito eh (I've been against PUV modernization for a long time...This was not thought of, there was no preparation, and the opinions of the PUV sector itself were not heard before this was implemented. In other words, this program was merely strong-armed)," he said.

He also stated that with a price tag of P2.5 million per unit, there's no way a driver or an operator can pay for it monthly considering that they would also have the means to earn.

"Hangga't hindi po sapat ang financing kahit anong pwersa niyo na magkooperatiba yan, para lamang makabili ng sinusubo ninyong galing China at galing Russia, ay hindi po talaga uubra eh (As long as the financing mechanism is inadequate, even if you will force them to join cooperatives, just to purchase the vehicles you're giving to them from China and Russia, it won't work)," Escudero said.

Escudero also chided the government agencies in the elimination of the jeepney's traditional design that's already embedded in the country's culture and history.

"Parte na 'to ng kultura at kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Isang ganun buburahin niyo? Sino kayo? At sino nagsabing may kapangyarihan kayong burahin yun na ganun ganun na lamang? (This is already part of the country's culture and history. Just like that you're going to remove it? Who are you? Who told you that you have the power to remove it just like that?)" he said.

As Senate President, led by Tulfo as the Senate panel's chairperson, Escudero said that they will bring up all these concerns to the President.

"Ipaparinig natin at ihahatid natin sa kanya yung pulso, pananaw, at posisyon ng mas nakararami nating kababayan na ipagpaliban muna ito (We will bring up to the President the position, opinion, and the pulse of the public to suspend this temporarily)," he said.

"Sana dinggin niya tulad ng naging posisyon din ng Senado sa POGO yung ating posisyon kaugnay nito na hindi na kailangan hintayin pa yung susunod na SONA (I hope he will listen to the position of the Senate like he did with our position on POGO without waiting for the next SONA)," he added.

Tulfo said he would abide by Escudero's recommendation and would come up with a resolution.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino and Senator JV Ejercito have manifested their support during the hearing.

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Andy Ortega said that they respect this move by the Senate.

"Sa parte naman po ng DOTr, we will always maintain po yung aming naiparating sa ating pangulo at consistent with what we have been doing. We've been giving fair, accurate, and proper information to our President based on what we've felt and we've seen sa buong bansa sa pag-iikot namin ((in the whole country in our observation) and hearing sentiments of the majority of our transport leaders," he said.