by JOEL C. ESCOL, Managing Editor
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the recent meeting of key leaders in transportation, investors and political figures, the biggest consortium of transport cooperatives and corporations is likely to happen in Mindanao.
As this developed, transport cooperatives in Mindanao have started to take their oaths and join the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), currently headed by its president Orlando Marquez, Sr.

LTOP, Marquez said, is now one of the biggest organization of transport groups in the Philippines, and with the help of Governor Luis Chavit Singson, LTOP will have good projects for all qualified LTOP member-coops all over the country.
Chavit announced during a meeting in Misamis Oriental that his company will put up a big manufacturing plant in Manila to manufacture Korean-designed vehicles for transport and to provide member coops even without capitals.
“I know that cooperatives around the country are having difficulties investing on modernize vehicles for transportation. But you don’t need to worry, I will finance them for you,” Singson made his promise to the applause of the stakeholders.

Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia shows his full support to the PUVMP and the transport cooperatives in the province. He said drivers and operators needs this support because acquiring these modern and compliant units would be very difficult for them.
Office of the Transport Cooperative (OTC) Chairman Jesus Ferdinand de Pedro Ortega has also extended support and gratitude to the LTOP and other big Transport Cooperatives supporting the modernization program of the government.

Meanwhile, Donald Rey Ellarina, popularly known as DONSALS, personally handed over plaque of appreciations to the dignitaries such as DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, Gov Luis Chavit Singson, OTC Chairman Ortega, and LTOP President Orlando Marquez during the Public Consultation of the PUVMP at Ellarina Technical Institute in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.
“Akong gihangyo ug giawhag ang tanang mga kooperatiba dili lang dire sa Northern Mindanao apan sa kinatibuk-ang bahin sa Mindanao nga mo-join na sa LTOP kay ang atong Presidente Orlando Marquez sa LTOP daghan ug maayong programa sa transport sector,” Donsals’ Ellarina said.

He said Marquez and Chavit Singson are very good friends so that Mr Singson is now roaming around the country to announce the good news that he is willing to shell out billions of investments to help the modernization of the government and provide brand new passenger vehicles to transport coops in the country.
Ellarina said he aims to help the transport sector in Mindanao acquire new passenger vehicles through the LTOP group currently headed by Orlando Marquez, Sr as President.
He said LTOP has given him a go-signal to start processing the official entry of the different transport coops in Mindanao which shall be given top priority in the acquisition of modern and compliant transport vehicles.
COMPLIANT VEHICLES
Euro 4 and Europe 5 serve as widely accepted European emission standards for vehicles, mandating the use of cleaner fuels to ensure reduced emissions and minimize environmental pollution.
During the PUVMP launch in Cagayan de Oro a few years ago, former Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed the commitment of the DOTr, through the LTFRB, to modernize the public transportation system in the country.
Tugade stated, “The PUVMP stands as a flagship initiative of the Duterte administration, aiming for a restructured, modern, well-managed, and environmentally sustainable public transport sector.”
He emphasized that the program also aims to provide drivers and operators with stable, sufficient, and dignified livelihoods, while ensuring that commuters reach their destinations quickly, safely, and comfortably.”
The concluded consultation for PUVMP last Sunday, February 4, 2024 was sponsored and hosted by the Federation of Mindanao Transport Cooperatives (FMTC). Lead by its EXECOM, Melvin L. Erederos, Sinawe C. Mamao, Camcer O. Imam, Wenifredo Yancha, Jr. and Mr. Jeffrey.