Dumaguete City transport stakeholders have joined Bayaning Tsuper in its advocacy to keep roads safe and to push for the development of the road transport sector.
This came after 1st nominee Atty. Aminola “Alex” Abaton presented the Party-list’s plans and programs to leaders and representatives of transportation cooperatives, jeepney and tricycle groups, and private driving schools at the Road Transport Forum on November 27, 2021.
Additionally, the Party-list 1st nominee noted the importance of keeping the design of traditional jeepneys, a mark of Philippine ingenuity and creativity.
Throughout the forum, Atty. Abaton also outlined Bayaning Tsuper’s concrete steps as well as its stance on the current challenges in the road transportation industry.
On the heavy fines and penalties for traffic violations which have been a source of burden for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, Atty. Abaton said that the Party-list is in favor of reviewing and if necessary, scrapping, Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 being implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr formerly DOTC), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) since 2014. He suggested replacing the burdensome revised schedule with more reasonable sanctions.
Accordingly, he stated “We will revisit and review this. Bakit hindi natin babaan ang fines at habaan ang suspension period?”
Moreover, when asked about his thoughts on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which has been a source of concern for many small-scale PUV operators and drivers, he pointed out the need for its reassessment, taking into consideration the position of its stakeholders.
“Sa aming pakikipagdiyalogo, isa ang PUV modernization sa mga idinadaing ng iba’t ibang transport groups, kaya isa ito sa gusto nating irevisit. Pagdating sa modernization, wala tayong tutol d’yan. Sino ba ang ayaw mag-modernize? Sino ba ang ayaw ma-upgrade ang transport sector? Pero tingnan naman natin kung ano ang magiging katayuan ng mga maliliit na operator natin,” he said.
The Party-list is in favor of reviewing and if necessary, scrapping, Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 being implemented by the DOTr, the LTO, and the LTFRB since 2014.
Additionally, the Party-list 1st nominee noted the importance of keeping the design of traditional jeepneys, a mark of Philippine ingenuity and creativity.
“Ako, personally, dapat kung magkakaroon tayo ng modernization, ‘yung itsura, ‘yung klase ng layout ng traditional jeep, dapat and’yan pa ‘yan. Dahil ‘yan na ang pagkakakilanlan natin. ‘Yan ‘yung nag-iidentify sa atin, ng ating pagiging Filipino,” he underscored.
Further, on the prospect of a phase-out for vehicles 15 years and older, he stressed that the vehicle’s age should not be the sole criterion for its suitability for usage on the country’s roads.
“Ang pananaw ko d’yan, kahit 15 or 20 years ang sasakyan, pero kung roadworthy, let it run on our roads,” he emphasized.
On top of these, Atty. Abaton said Bayaning Tsuper is also laying the ground for the following initiatives, namely: strengthening transportation cooperatives; institutionalization of the national mandatory road crash incident insurance; establishment of mobile medical clinics; free legal assistance for drivers; establishment of loan credit facilities; continuous cash subsidy; and other financial assistance initiatives to help PUV drivers rebound from the losses they incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
