“For years, commuters have cried for better public transport. People want vehicles that are convenient and friendly to the environment, not worn-out and dilapidated jeepneys.

Before yesterday’s transport strike, various government agencies and local government units (LGU) drafted contingency plans that would alleviate any possible impact to daily commuters.

Officials knew that even if the rallies would be small in scale, they nevertheless had to prepare, most especially as they were to be conducted on the very first day of the week.

Classes from elementary to college were suspended, number coding was lifted in some areas, additional buses were deployed all over Metro Manila, and free rides were offered in a number of areas for the riding public. One would think that these measures were only implemented in times of emergencies or calamities, such as earthquakes and typhoons, but no, this was all for a transport strike.

It may be a minor intrusion, but the effects of these protests are disturbing the daily lives of our commuters.

For years, commuters have cried for better public transport. People want vehicles that are convenient and friendly to the environment, not worn-out and dilapidated jeepneys.

Just ask anyone whose mode of transportation is to commute every day, and I guarantee you that they are one with the government for modernization.

Of course, commuters are not the only ones affected by the government’s large-scale transformational initiative. We have the jeepney drivers and operators, some of who continue to resist the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

For President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, you have a government that is ready to listen. But when the very essence of public transport is disrupted, the government will have to apply stern measures, as we believe it is the right thing to do. Just a week ago, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board canceled the franchises of drivers and operators who participated in a transport strike in the past.

We acknowledge these strikes as a right to the freedom of expression, but it should never come at the expense of our people.

If they want to exercise their right and still do business with the government, there has to be a certain amount of responsibility given to the public. In the words of Secretary Tugade himself, “Bayan muna, bago negosyo (Country first before business).”

We are here to make it clear that under the PUVMP, we are ultimately changing the standards of the commuter experience, while giving drivers and operators a stable livelihood that will benefit their families.

With the PUVMP, you get modern vehicles that are environment-friendly and compliant with the Clean Air Act. For safety, security, comfort and convenience, these vehicles are equipped with side doors, speed limiters, automated fare collection system, CCTV, GPS, cameras and safer side entrances.

The PUVMP will also implement rationalized routes. The number of PUV plying the roads will be determined by actual passenger demand within the area. Under this method, we will have a proper number of PUV serving our commuters daily. No more long waiting for jeepneys that arrive bursting beyond capacity. No more additional traffic from half-full PUV.

For drivers and operators, we are giving them fixed salaries, the chance to join cooperatives and corporations to distribute repair and maintenance costs, and free livelihood and skills training under the “Tsuper Iskolar” Program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Further, let us not be drawn into unreasonable statements that the PUVMP is anti-poor. How can it be anti-poor when it just strives to bring back dignity in commuting, when it pushes to make public transport as an equalizer, where anyone can and will ride regardless of economic status?

There are also claims that the DoTr is favoring manufacturers and accepting commissions. Let it be known that we are not endorsing anyone, for we have more than 30 manufacturers producing PUVMP-compliant units. It is ultimately up to the operators to choose their manufacturer.

Together with our attached agencies and the LGU, we are doing everything we can to make the transition to the modernization program easier. With the help of the LTFRB and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), we now have 415 authorized routes with 3,019 operational units and 988 accredited transport cooperatives. Additionally, 575 units were provided with loan assistance amounting to P1 billion, and loan applications amounting to P2.5 billion.

As Secretary Tugade said, “We will not stop anyone from expressing their rights, but you need to make sure that you do not step on other people’s rights. You have to consider the common good.”

For the DoTr, under the guidance of President Duterte, we are your partners for change. For the PUVMP, we are not fighting the few, for we are protecting the many.