admin 
Ni EstongReyes
IMINUNGKAHI ng isang mambabatas na palawigin ang deadline para sa Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program sa panahon na nakumpleto na ang itinatayong mass transportation infrastructure.
“While we are in the process of constructing all of these major mass transits, probably, itong sa PUV modernization, we’ll have to—may time pa. Probably, it can be extended ‘yung deadline hangga’t hindi pa gumagana lahat—MRT 7, Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Line—then, probably, it’s worth considering to extend,” ayon kay JV Ejercito, vice chairman ng Senate public services committee.
“Siguro by now—in the next three to five years, once all of these mass transits are on line, siguro ‘yung PUV modernization will…by that time ready na rin. Parang lahat nang ‘yun sanga-sanga. Parang siya ang magiging feeder sa mass transit para modernized na po lahat,” dagdag niya.
Habang iminumungkahi niya ang pangangailangan sa pagpapalawig ng deadline sa PUV modernization, sinabi ni Ejercito na dahil magtiwala ang publiko sa pamahalaan.
“Sometimes, there are decisions that are difficult, kaya lang you have to weigh things. Kasi siguro, in the Executive’s point of view, if we keep on delaying the PUV modernization program, it will never materialize but also we have to weigh things, we have to balance,” aniya.
“Kung titingnan natin ang impact, dapat ma-assess nang tama how many will be affected because of this decision to not anymore extend itong PUV modernization. Sakin mas importante po ‘yon,” giit pa niya.
Aniya, may problema na dapat suriin kabilang ang “self-inflicted” problems na ginawa ng gobyerno kabilang ang ilang stakeholders sa transportation sector.
“Admittedly, there are a lot of self-inflicted wounds. ‘Yung mga problema ngayon na lumalabas, na kagagawan din dati ng both operators and the government. We have to just correct everything,” aniya.
Kailangan din umanong maorganisa ang transportation system ng bansa.
Tinukoy ni Ejercito ang EDSA bus system na kayang gumana 1,800 bus pero may 140 lamag ang operator.
“It’s a difficult thing. It’s a big challenge for us to reorganize and to rationalize everything. I-organize ang buses and jeepneys into co-ops…Madaming mistakes in the past that have to be corrected. So, we just have to trust the leadership kung ano ang kanilang magiging direction,” aniya.
Naunang itinakda ng Palasyo sa Disyembre 31, 2023 ang deadline sa PUV modernization nang walang extension.
