By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Grace Poe commended the new Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon for responding to their call to review the Public Transport Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Poe explained that they had been urging the DOTr to fix the program before setting a deadline for drivers.

“The Department has previously made false promises, which is why the Senate had to adopt a resolution against the phase-out of jeepneys,” Poe said.

“I also filed Senate Bill No. 105 consistently since 2019, advocating for a ‘just and humane’ PUV Modernization Program, which includes transitory assistance and support for operators, drivers, and other stakeholders,” she added.

The senator emphasized that the program needs urgent revisions.

“Aside from the lack of route plans, the high cost of units, foreign designs, and the absence of subsidies for drivers, the program’s utilization rate is alarmingly low—only 53% of the P7.5 billion budget allocated from 2018 to 2024 has been used.”

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By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe congratulated Vince Dizon on his appointment as the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Poe expressed confidence that Dizon’s expertise and experience will expedite necessary reforms within the department.

“The new DOTr chief can count on our full support as we work to bring relief to the commuting public and implement lasting solutions for our transportation sector,” Poe said.

She also lauded the sincerity and dedication of outgoing DOTR Secretary Jaime Bautista, who will be succeeded by Dizon.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Bautista resigned for health reasons.

“He has been authorized by the Office of the President to begin the transition at DOTr in coordination with the team of Secretary Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons,” Bersamin stated.

Dizon previously served as president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and as the presidential adviser for COVID-19.

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By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senate Grace Poe said that despite the absence of the law, motorcycle riders can still continue their operations as the Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has the authority to allow them to continue.

Poe pointed out that the absence of a law should not result in the loss of jobs of over 60,000 motorcycle riders in the country.

Nasa LTFRB naman talaga ang deadline kung itutuloy nila ito o hindi. Pwede naman silang magkaroon ng extension pending the passage of the bill. Sila naman yung pumapayag dyan,” she said.

“Kung kailangan nila ng Senate resolution mula sa amin para meron silang legal cover, pwede naman naming gawin ‘yan. Iyong resolution ay pinipirmahan ng mga senador para sabihin na suportado namin ang extension habang ang panukalang batas ay aming sinusuri,” she added.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, previously headed the Committee on Public Services that started the hearings on the motorcycle-for-hire bills few years ago.

The senator emphasized the significance of motorcycle taxis as a safe and viable mode of transportation, which has created employment opportunities for thousands of riders.

“Sa mga kababayan, huwag po kayong mag-alala sapagkat napaka-importante nitong serbisyo na ito ng mga motorcycles for hire, at hindi ito dapat itigil ng LTFRB dahil lang hindi pa naipapasa ang batas,” Poe said.

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By Liza Soriano

SENATOR Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until after all issues hounding it are resolved.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz amid reports of alleged corruption.

The chairperson of the Committee on Public Services in the Upper House said that the alleged act of corruption is “unjust” for the public utility vehicle drivers.

“Kung totoo ang alegasyon, hindi ito makatarungan sa ating mga drayber na nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil pinaboran pala ang mga naglalagay,” Poe said.

Erring officials must be held accountable for bungling a very critical program of the transport sector, she added.

The senator hopes that while those involved are being investigated, the modernization program is also being organized that will improve the livelihood of drivers and provide proper service to commuters.

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By Liza Soriano

SENATORS have called on all concerned government agencies to ensure the protection of the Filipinos in Israel after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a deadly attack last Saturday.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Grace Poe have condemned the violence made in Israel.

“We call upon the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other Philippine government agencies to secure our overseas Filipinos and ensure safe passage if necessary,” Zubiri said.

“We urge the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose. I pray for all who are affected by this conflict- particularly the thousands of our Filipino brothers and sisters. May the LORD cover you all,” he added.

Poe, on her part, said that the safety of the Filipinos should be the top priority of the government.

“The safety of Filipinos in conflict-stricken Israel is of primordial concern. Concerned government agencies must ensure that our kababayan, especially those living near the battle zones, are moved to secure shelters or halfway houses,” Poe said.

“Repatriation should be calibrated for those who want to go home while the borders are still open […] As we hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, we have to act with dispatch so that no Filipinos will be included in the count of casualties,” she added.

With rocket fire and the deployment of armed men into numerous Israeli communities, Hamas began its most significant strike on Israel in years on Saturday. Israel suffered at least 22 fatalities.

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