'DON'T LOOK AT US': LTFRB not responsible for PUVMP viability

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon’s admission during the Senate Committee on Appointments that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) appears unviable — due to at least ₱5.1 billion in loan defaults — is not for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to address.

"We [at the LTFRB] are just the implementing agency [of the PUVMP]. It started [during the Duterte Administration] from Tugade. A committee was formed by Secretary Dizon to study its continuity, composed of different agencies, LTFRB not included, that recommended it can be continued," Atty. Ariel Inton, LTFRB spokesperson told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Inton noted that Dizon himself issued a department order on 5 May 2025 reopening the consolidation process to allow more transport groups to join the program.

If it's not viable anymore, Inton said a Department order is also needed for them to implement it.

While congratulating Dizon on his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, Inton emphasized the need to assess why some transport cooperatives are struggling with loans.

“Why are other transport coops doing well? They paid their loans on time and paid the salaries of their drivers,” Inton pointed out.