Binalaan ni Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista ang Senado sa “unintended consequences” ng pagsuspinde sa pagpapatupad ng Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) o tinatawag na Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
“Despite some isolated issues that have arisen, DOTr, along with its attached agencies, are actively addressing them through ongoing review and stakeholder consultations,” ayon kay Bautista.
Inihayag ito ni Bautista sa kanyang liham kay Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero na may petsang Hulyo 29 o anim na araw matapos imungkahi ng Senate chief ang paghahain ng resolusyon na nananawagan sa pansamantalang suspensiyon ng PUVMP rollout.
“We remain committed to refining the Program to better meet the needs of our stakeholders… In conclusion, we respectfully beseech the Honorable Senate to consider the ongoing benefits and improvements of PTMP. A temporary suspension might only halt the positive momentum of the Program, but could also have unintended consequences,” sabi ni Bautista.
Sa kanyang liham, nilinaw ni Bautista na hindi hinihiling ng PTMP sa mga operator at driver ng PUV na agad na bumili ng mga modernong PUV kapag may konsultasyon habang unti-unting nagaganap ang modernisasyon ng PUV sa susunod na tatlo hanggang apat na taon pagkatapos ng deadline ng consolidation.