Senator Raffy Tulfo, as the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, convened various government agencies in a first consultative meeting in the Senate to discuss several issues and concerns involving transportation, telecommunications and utilities and franchises.
For one, they discussed the current implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Tulfo questioned the plan to import modern jeepney units from China instead of dealing with local manufacturers who can make said jeepneys at a lower cost.
“I advised DOTr to change and improve their system to reduce congestion and other road problems.”
The legislator also advised DOTr to change and improve their system to reduce congestion and other road problems.
In speaking with the leadership of MRT-3, the senator expressed concern over the frequent train breakdowns and other maintenance issues of elevators and escalators in various stations.
He underscored the need to replace the current MRT-3 maintenance service provider, Sumitomo Corporation, with a better provider to avoid more problems involving MRT-3.
Meanwhile, Tulfo reminded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ensure that no more passenger boats would sink during his term as Public Services Chairperson.
“For ships and boats, there should be sufficient availability of life vests and life boats for their passengers.”
He also obliged them to implement stricter monitoring and sea worthiness inspections before allowing boats to sail, noting that there should be sufficient availability of life vests and life boats for their passengers.
Tulfo also took time to discuss the problems he sees with VIP chartered planes that do not anymore go through rigorous screening processes in the airport.
He is worried that passengers could smuggle contrabands in and out of the country. That’s why he promised to support the budget of the DOTr to build processing centers in airports for said airplanes.
After dismissing said meeting, Tulfo asked each agency present to submit their respective accomplishments and assessment reports to his office so that he could study them and pass an appropriate policy.
