The Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP) is calling for the urgent continuation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr). ABMAP Executive Director Edgar Manuel is reaching out to DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez to strongly appeal for the immediate re-implementation of the program, emphasizing that the Filipino riding public deserves safe, modern, and dignified daily travel.
The PTMP, a landmark initiative launched to replace the country’s aging and dilapidated fleet of jeepneys and public utility vehicles (PUVs), aims to uplift the standard of public transport through modern, efficient, low-emission, and safer vehicles. While thousands of modern PUVs are already operating nationwide—and are currently being enjoyed by countless commuters—the majority of daily riders still rely on old jeepneys that are unsafe, uncomfortable, and no longer aligned with the mobility needs of a growing nation.
“Every Filipino commuter deserves dignity and safety when they ride to work, to school, or back home,” said Edgar Manuel. “Thousands are already experiencing the benefits of modern PUVs, but many more are still enduring long, uncomfortable, and unsafe rides. We cannot delay modernization any longer.”
ABMAP stresses that reviving the momentum of the PTMP is not only a matter of convenience but also a matter of public safety and national development. The association highlights that modernization stimulates the local manufacturing sector, generates employment, supports local parts makers, and strengthens the entire mobility ecosystem. Modern PUVs also help reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency for drivers and operators, and provide a more reliable and comfortable experience for commuters.
ABMAP has long expressed its full support for the government’s efforts to modernize public transport. It has also consistently collaborated with various government agencies, including the DOTr and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to help shape practical guidelines and solutions—from technical standards to financing mechanisms for operators and cooperatives.
“The technology, the capability, and the readiness are all here,” Manuel added. “Local manufacturers stand ready to deliver. Operators are prepared to transition. What the nation needs is for the DOTr to take decisive action and bring the PTMP fully back on track. Our communities and our commuters deserve nothing less.”
ABMAP reiterates that modernization is a long-term investment in the country’s future—one that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and efficiency. By accelerating the PTMP, the government not only strengthens the transport sector but also upholds the welfare of millions of Filipinos who rely on public transport every day.
“The Filipino riding public has waited long enough,” Manuel emphasized. “It’s time to move forward. It’s time to modernize. And it’s time to give every commuter the safe, modern public transport system they deserve.”
