By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senate President Chiz Escudero on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) called for a temporary suspension of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) to ensure all necessary preparations are completed before moving forward.
“The Senate is not withdrawing its support for the PUV Modernization Program, nor is it our intention to halt the initiative,” Escudero said. “What we are asking is simple: address the issues first before fully implementing the program.”
However, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected the proposal to suspend the PUVMP.
“I disagree with them because they say it was rushed. The modernization has been postponed seven times already. Those asking for a suspension are in the minority. Eighty percent are already on board, so how can we let the 20 percent decide the fate of the whole program?” Marcos said.
Earlier, a group of senators called for the suspension of the PUVMP, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with “safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly” public vehicles.
A resolution signed by 22 senators requested the government to suspend the program’s implementation.
(ia/mnm)
