The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday announced the re-opening of applications for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), enabling jeepney drivers and operators to form cooperatives and apply for routes with low consolidation percentages.

The move, outlined in Department Order No. 2025-009, allows drivers and operators to join or create their own cooperatives for various routes.

In a statement, Dizon said that by reopening the modernization application, they are providing an opportunity for jeepney operators—who were not included in previous rounds—to operate legally.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III also confirmed the re-opening of the application, saying that jeepney drivers and operators can apply on the routes in which the percentage of consolidation is less than 65 percent.

"First, those who were not part of the consolidation will now be allowed to participate and enroll themselves; however, they will only be permitted to operate on routes with a low consolidation percentage."

Guadiz also added that provisional authorities will be issued to drivers and operators who will “enter the program.”

"You will be granted a provisional authority if you already have a designated route, provided it is accepted by a cooperative, additionally, if you have your own route and it does not overlap with existing ones, we will issue a provisional authority within five days."

'We were abandoned'

Jeepney group Manibela expressed dismay following the announcement of the Transportation Department about the resumption of the jeepney modernization program.

“We felt that we were abandoned, because we are in talks about the possibility of making the jeepney consolidation optional,” MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said in a phone interview.

Last March, Dizon expressed his open communication with different transport groups about the issues surrounding the modernization program.

“We know some members who joined the modernization program, and that they suffered financial losses of 80 to 90 percent,”

"I hope that Sec. Dizon will look and listen to us, and not to the capitalists, as it is our livelihood at stake in this matter," Valbuena added.

He said that Manibela and other various transport groups are planning their next move following the re-opening of the jeepney modernization application.

Under the PTMP, the government aims to replace traditional jeepneys with units equipped with Euro 4-compliant engines, which limit harmful emissions, and to phase out jeepneys deemed unsafe for public roads.