The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has created a special committee to review the government’s public transport modernization program (PTMP), particularly to address the concerns of various transport groups.

Under Special Order No. 2025-152, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon instructed members of the panel to consult with various stakeholders regarding the current status and progress of PTMP.

The committee, which will be chaired by Undersecretary for road transport and non-infrastructure Ramon Reyes, is also tasked to identify issues and concerns related to the program.

Dizon also seeks the performance of “other duties as may be necessary to fast-track program implementation.”

The committee is expected to submit to the Transportation Secretary its recommendations regarding PTMP next week.

Establishing a new body to oversee public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization is in response to the recent call of transport groups Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (Acto).

In a letter dated March 26, the three groups appealed to Dizon to appoint new officials to lead PTMP.

The groups, who are in favor of fast-tracking the modernization scheme, raised concerns about PTMP’s implementation.

Meanwhile, on Monday, March 31, the DOTr chief met with Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena and other members of the group to discuss their concerns with PTMP.

To recall, the group held a transport strike last week due to alleged inaccuracies in the consolidation figures of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTFRB said earlier that 86 percent of PUV operators and drivers have already consolidated for PTMP.

However, Manibela asserted that this was only 43 percent—as revealed by Dizon himself.

PTMP mandates the consolidation of PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations. Jeepneys that are unconsolidated will be considered colorum, subject to corresponding penalties.

During the meeting, Dizon said the DOTr must first address issues surrounding the PTMP, while paying attention to the grievances of the sector, before proceeding with the program.

“Para itong sinulid na nagkabuhol-buhol. Kailangan isa-isahin natin ito [mga isyu] para maituwid natin ang programa,” he noted.

(It’s like a tangled thread. We need to untangle each issue one by one so we can straighten out the program.)

PTMP, originally known as PUVMP, has faced several protests and transport strikes since it was first launched in 2017 over issues surrounding the welfare of drivers and operators.