Mindanao Transportation Cooperative Congress
March 20-21, 2019
SMX Convention Center, Davao City
In the government’s quest to expedite the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) under the Department of Transportation is spearheading a 2-day Mindanao Transportation Cooperatives Congress on March 20-21, 2019 at SMX Convention Center here in Davao City. The congress which revolves around the theme, 'Road to modernization, innovating transport for a livable community' is a response to the urgent call of President Rodrigo Duterte to accelerate the modernization of our public transportation system.
The congress was attended by Mr. Arthur Tugade, DOTr Secretary represented by his Asisstant Secretary for Communications, Ms. Hope Libiran, Mr. Eugene Pabualan, Executive Director of Office of Transportation Cooperatives, Mr. Martin Delgra III, Chairman of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Mr. Edgar Galvante, Assistant Secretary of Land Transportation Office and Mr. Medel Afalla, OIC of the Office of the Chairman of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives.
In a press briefing conducted during the congress, Mr. Eugene Pabualan, Executive Director of Office of Transportation Cooperatives said that “The main task of OTC is for the consolidation of cooperatives and conduct capability enhancement hence, the transformation of the cooperatives especially the new ones to be more empowered to run the business sustainably. We’re now hiring more people to join our team to focus and address the urgent needs in implementing this change.”
(L-R) Cattleya V. Acaylar, LTFRB Region 11 OIC-Director, Mr. Martin Delgra III, Chairman of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Mr. Eugene Pabualan, Executive Director of Office of Transportation Cooperatives, DOTr ASec for Communications Ms. Hope Libiran, Mr. Edgar Galvante, Assistant Secretary of Land Transportation Office, Mr. Medel Afalla, OIC of the Office of the Chairman of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives.
Assistant Secretary of DOTr for Communications Ms. Hope Libiran also reiterated the position of the department. She said that “The position of Department of Transportation as mandated by Secretary Arthur Tugade is not to sacrifice the lives of the commuting public. The implementation of Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program in non-negotiable. And for the sake of this country let’s have the political will to implement this program. DOTr along with its allied entities and all attached sectoral agencies will work to push to implement this program.”
Joey Sy-Domingo facilitated the press briefing. |
The 2-day congress aims to establish a collective position with appropriate strategies and plan of action for transport cooperatives to the active participants in the PUV modernization program. It also targets to formulate policy and legislative agenda on strengthening its competitiveness leading to their sector’s transformation as a business.
The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a large-scale transformative initiative for a restructured and environmentally sustainable transport sector aimed for Filipinos to have a pleasant commuting experience.
The program will modernize the current PUV fleet, reform and consolidate the industry, move towards low emission PUVs, improve the welfare of communities and encourage modal shift and improve standards of living of drivers and operators and their families as under this program, drivers will now be salaried unlike the previous which is based on ridership. Drivers will enjoy benefits and will spend only at least eight hours on the road. This system will bring about higher overall income, fewer accidents and professionalized drivers on the road.
The aspect of safety, reliability, accessibility, comfort and environmental soundness will be the expected upshot in this program.
The government will provide a financial incentive for modernization, training on fleet management, fast-tracking of franchises and social support programs.
Under this modern transport scheme, an automated fare collection system will also be implemented. The government is looking at the possibility of employing a universal card system that can be used across all fleets registered under this system.
As a commuter myself, I look forward to the full implementation of this modern transport schema. In Davao City, the initial run of High Priority Bus System (HPBS) that will serve this program is now plying the streets. This system is expected to generate at least 10,000 jobs when fully implemented. So far, so good and it's widely welcome by the commuters.
Plenary Hall during the Mindanao Transportation Cooperative Congress
March 20-21, 2019
SMX Convention Center, Davao City
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