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NewsTranscript
00:00If there is a resolution of the Senators to suspend the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program or the former PUV Modernization Program,
00:08we will be able to elect Undersecretary for Road, Transport and Infrastructure, Andy Ortega.
00:14Usec Ortega, good morning. Welcome to the first news.
00:18Hi Ivan, good morning. Good morning to all of you.
00:22Please explain this resolution of Senator Usec.
00:26Is this just a temporary suspension or is there a chance that this entire program will be scrapped?
00:35First of all, the resolution that the Senate passed is a resolution asking the Executive for the suspension.
00:44In fact, on my part, on our part, we cannot really fully know what they are thinking about the suspension.
00:51The point here in the DOTR, when we first learned that they have a plan to have a resolution,
00:58the DOTR immediately followed through our Secretary to Senate President Escudero and laid out the real situation,
01:05the proper implementation, continuous improvement through consultation in the transportation sector, even in the Senate, even in the Congress.
01:16So we explained it in writing and we will not stop explaining about this program that we know is good for everybody in the country, especially to our commuters.
01:29Before this resolution Usec, did the Senators or the Senate have a communication in the DOTR about the concerns that they are pointing out?
01:41Because this has been going on for a long time, right? We have already extended the deadline, etc.
01:46And then comes now this resolution asking the DOTR to suspend the implementation of the modernization program.
01:53That's right Ivan. You know, since last year, we had many congressional hearings in the Senate, in the Congress.
02:01We had dozens of consultations nationwide in the transportation sectors.
02:07We've done this since last year when I assumed office. Based on the percentage, which was in the low 60s early last year,
02:15it reached 70s in December, we reached 83 percent. It shows that the DOTR's communication continues to our transport sector.
02:27That's why it shows that more people are joining and in fact, we've reached 83 percent.
02:33So regarding the communication and consultation, always willing in the DOTR, we are always there to consult even to the smallest sector.
02:42That's why the percentage is increasing. It's a good program. If needed to have more, we are here to continue the discussion.
02:51Okay. In the meantime, what will happen now? Those who consolidated, they're thinking, what will happen to us?
02:59Will we continue our passage? Will we stop?
03:02As for the unconsolidated, who were considered in the call room, effective the day after the deadline,
03:08what will happen to them? Can they go out again?
03:11First of all, consolidation has ended. Just to be clear Ivan, all the real people who want to join the program are already in the program.
03:22That's what has happened. That's why we reached 83.
03:25As for the consolidated, they visited us. We told them to continue with the program because this program is needed.
03:33As for the unconsolidated, unfortunately, they made the decision. It's a decision by the operators.
03:40They don't want to join. So we respect that. They cannot join because the deadline has ended.
03:47Now, what will be done by the consolidated, which is a big majority of the transportation sector,
03:53we cannot predict what they plan to do because of what happened here in the resolution.
03:58But if they ask for the DOTR, what will you tell them?
04:01What we will tell them is to continue because that's the order of the president. That's the order of the secretary.
04:07We have to pursue this program because we know we can talk, we can fix and we can improve
04:14what we have been doing for the past year.
04:16We can continue the program but we are talking to improve further.
04:22Help us here. We need to continue the program.
04:26You mentioned the discussion.
04:29One of the issues in the Senate resolution is the big problem of drivers and operators when it comes to the price of modern jeeps.
04:36Even if there's a subsidy from the government, they will still be heavy.
04:42How will the DOTR address this concern of the Senators?
04:46On the part of DOTR, Ivan, from P160,000 per unit, we increased it to P280,
04:53and we will continue to ask for funds from the PONDO in our Congress
04:58so we can help our sector in transportation.
05:02Also, there are more manufacturers joining. The majority here are local.
05:07Iconic design, no problem. Even if the design looks like a traditional jeep, we encourage it.
05:12My point here is to help the price, to help between the executive, the legislative, even the manufacturers.
05:22There are banks here who are ready to help.
05:25They are waiting to give loan support to our sector because they know that this is a viable program
05:33and this is something that we need to help all sectors of our society.
05:38The individual operators who don't want to give up their franchises, is this even still subject to negotiation or talks?
05:48Regarding the individual, you have to join a cooperative.
05:53We need to join a cooperative or corporation whose one operator, one franchise.
06:00It's best, we know this, that together, the business will run better if you are in a corporation or in a cooperative.
06:11That's why we only have two groups who don't want to consolidate.
06:16They went to the Supreme Court. Let us respect the process.
06:19But we have to hear the majority, the big majority of the transportation sector.
06:26They want to continue the program and we should respect the majority.
06:30Okay. The Senate resolution is an expression of the sense of the entire Senate regarding this issue.
06:38Where do we proceed from that resolution?
06:40Will there be talks or are there in fact talks already scheduled between DOTR and the Senate?
06:49We respect the Senate and their resolution.
06:54We respect our colleagues or friends in the Senate.
06:58So the resolution that they are asking for will go back to Malapayang, to our President,
07:05and our President will make the decision regarding that resolution.
07:09We respect the process on the part of DOTR.
07:12We are pursuing the program because we know we can fix all the problems
07:19through talks and consultations while we are pushing or ongoing our program.
07:26And for those who are in the transportation sector, will you continue?
07:31We will continue because we have to serve our public well.
07:35We have to improve our system and we can only do this by pursuing it.
07:41But we are all in this together.
07:44Jusec Ortega, thank you very much for the time you gave in the first news.
07:48Undersecretary Andy Ortega.