As per reports, following are the updates for the transport strike in Philippines as on Friday (03 May).

• Senator Risa Hontiveros has called upon the government to intervene in the acquisition of modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) and lease them to transport cooperatives. This proposal aims to facilitate the implementation of the jeepney modernization program, which has faced challenges and uncertainties, particularly among transport cooperatives.
• Senator has proposed that the Department of Transportation (DoTr) seek assistance from financial institutions like LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines, as well as their asset management entities, to support transport cooperatives in obtaining modern PUVs.
• Under this plan, the DoTr would utilise its subsidy budgets for 2024 and 2025 to procure modern PUVs, which would then be leased to cooperatives. This arrangement would provide cooperatives with access to modern vehicles without the financial burden of direct purchases. Additionally, it offers the flexibility for cooperatives to transition into a lease-to-own arrangement if the routes prove profitable.
• Transport cooperatives have expressed concerns about their financial capacity to acquire modern PUVs and the uncertainty of obtaining loans from banks.
• The senator highlighted the importance of involving local government units (LGUs) in the process, suggesting that LGUs could own and operate modern PUV fleets through service contracting agreements with transport cooperatives. This approach would leverage government resources and expertise to mitigate risks associated with the modernisation program.