Resolutions, petitions, and appeals, not to mention reactions of disgust and frustrations, snowballed following this corner’s breaking piece on the seemingly underhanded manner by which the immediate past president of Chicago-based Rotary International (RI) Gordon R. McInally to cancel holding the 2028 annual convention here.

This issue is so blisteringly hot among Rotarians that even Congress filed a resolution the other day urging incumbent RI President Stephanie Urchick to overturn the previous Board’s decision, which McInally then steered.

From what I’ve gathered along the corridors of Rotary Clubs, the Philippine College of Rotary Governors (PCRG) is scheduled to meet sometime next week to develop one common stance on the withdrawal. Rotary101: PCRG, which was established in 1971 courtesy of the late chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the only Filipino RI President Mateo Armando “Mat” Caparas, deliberates on issues and concerns of the Philippine Rotary.

Yes, Virginia, as a rottweiler journalist, I promise to pursue my sleuthing to keep you updated on the juicy backstory.

Now, my lion’s ears heard another appeal on an issue that is very close to our hearts. It's not controversial like the RI unceremonious decision, but it's essential for us commuters. It’s on the Senate’s resolution to suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), which was reached last week at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

News tidbits picked-up along the EDSA main thoroughfare that Transportation Secretary Jaime “JJB” Bautista has “respectfully requested” Senate President Chiz Escudero to reconsider “deferring the suspension” of the long overdue modernization program.

On several occasions, the transport sector, specifically the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), has raised a howler opposing the program, which began in 1992.

For historical background: Government efforts to modernize the country’s ailing jeepneys and Public Utility Vehicles started in 1992 when then President Fidel V. Ramos directed the Department of Transportation and Communications to initiate eventual phase-out of jeepneys.

Some 23 years later, in 2015, with the launch of the PUV Rationalization Program under Pres. Aquino, which was followed in 2017 by the PUV Modernization Program under the Duterte administration.

JJB assured the Senate leadership that his department is taking a holistic approach to implementing PTMP, specifically on industry consolidation,  route rationalization, and financing, a crucial issue raised by FEJODAP.

From what I heard, significant resources have already been invested in developing and implementing the PTMP with the government, allocating some P1.6 billion year to date. “Suspending the Program now risks wasting these investments and incurring additional costs to reestablish similar initiatives in the future.”

Aside from government subsidy under the General Appropriations Act, eligible Transport Service Entities (TSEs), either cooperatives and/or corporations, can access special financing facilities from government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines as well as private financial institutions.

Also, the modernization program will “preserve” the iconic and internationally known traditional jeepney designs that symbolize Filipinos’ resilience, adaptability, and spirit of innovation. “DOTr remains committed to preserving the iconic design of our traditional jeepneys and encourages all local manufacturers and importers of PUVs to emulate the artistic design of traditional PUJs.

In his appeal, JJB explained that “suspending PTMP at this stage of its implementation could disrupt services for many who depend on its benefits. This could undermine progress and damage relationships with stakeholders, particularly, given that a significant percentage thereof have already consolidated.”  

Et tu, Chiz?

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