DOTr, Toyota discuss public transport collaboration projects

Transport officials and executives from Toyota Motor Philippines discuss collaboration projects between government and private sector.

THE transport department and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) are finding ways on how the private sector and government can collaborate in certain mass transportation projects.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade on August 11 met with TMP officials to discuss private sector involvement in the implementation of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the transport agency said in s statement released to journalists.

In the meeting, held in Alabang, TMP also expressed its intention to further work with the DOTr in expanding the government’s Tsuper Iskolar program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other auto manufacturers, the DOTr said.

It explained the TESDA program trains drivers, operators and their families who have been affected by the PUVMP. It links to employment opportunities with vehicle companies.

“I want the public transportation [sector] to be an equalizer. Walang mahirap, mayaman sa pampublikong transportasyon (There is no rich or poor people when it comes to public transport). We will not tolerate the psyche they built na ang jeepney ay pang-mahirap at mayayaman lang ang naka-aircon (that jeepneys are for the poor and only the rich deserve to ride in air-conditioned vehicles),” Tugade said.

Besides Tugade, those present in the meeting were transport undersecretaries Gary de Guzman (finance) and Mark de Leon (road transport and infrastructure), and TMP officials led by Satoru Suzuki (president), Alfred Ty (vice chairman), Rommel Gutierrez (first vice president) and Allen Rufo (vice president).

Gutierrez called the meeting “informative” and “positive.”

“We are really looking forward to working with DOTr,” he said.