The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has separated itself from Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon’s recent admission that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) may no longer be viable due to at least P5.1 billion in loan defaults.

“We’re just the implementing agency,” LTFRB spokesperson Ariel Inton told Daily Tribune. “The program started under former Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade during the Duterte administration.”

“Recently, a committee was formed by Dizon to review if it should be continued and the LTFRB was not part of that group. Still, the program’s continuation was recommended,” he said.

Inton noted that on 5 May, Dizon issued a department order reopening the PUVMP’s consolidation process to allow more transport groups to join.

“If the program is no longer viable, then it will also take a department order to officially halt it,” he pointed out.

While congratulating Dizon on his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, Inton said the issue of loan defaults should be looked into closely — but he noted that not all transport cooperatives were struggling.

“There are cooperatives that are doing well. They’re paying their loans on time and paying their drivers properly,” he said.