First nominee of the Bayaning Tsuper (BTS) Partylist and former Land Transportation Office (LTO) Regional Director, Atty. Alex Abaton emphasized the need to focus on improving the building of a safer and smarter transport system for all.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Tuesday, Abaton shared that while many focus solely on vehicle upgrades, BTS is advocating for a comprehensive and intelligent approach to public transport modernization.
“Kailangan tingnan natin ng mas malaliman yung mga problema ng sektor ng transportation,” said Abaton. “Nakita mo naman ‘yan na ‘yung issue pa lang ng public transport modernization program sa mga jeepney natin, hindi makausad-usad,” he stressed.
He pointed out how the lack of permanent legislation leaves programs like the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program vulnerable to delays and political shifts.
“Kahit gaano kaganda ang programa, kung walang batas na nagsusustento dito, madaling maputol. Kapag nagpalit ang administrasyon o liderato para tayong computer na nagre-reboot,” Abaton said emphasizing the need for laws that allocate clear funding and provide long-term infrastructure support.
Modernization without marginalization: Proposed initiatives for public transport modernization
Aside from legislated public transport modernization, Abaton also pushed for legalizing and regulating motorcycle taxis, emphasizing that the regional needs would be more effective than a blanket national policy under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“Bago tayo nagkaroon ng Single Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study, ang tawag sa lahat ng mga two wheels, na pumapasada, these are colorum. Ibig sabihin po niyan, dahil hindi pa legal yan, technically yan, colorum sila. Tayo, ang posisyon natin na panahon na para i-legalize ‘yan” Abaton stated.
“Ang kailangan natin, by legalizing habal-habal, magiging isa po silang industriya. At pag sila naging isang industriya, papasok na po dyan yung mga safety kumbaga benefits, incentives, like for example, yung pagre-require ng mga helmet, yung pagbibigay ng insurance or so on and so forth na ito yung magbibigay sa kanila ng stability or kapanatagan,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, he also criticized the government's long-standing "pilot study" on motorcycle taxis that began in 2019 and is still ongoing in 2025.
“Kung nag-aaral ka sa kolehiyo, baka may PhD ka na,” he quipped.
Abaton highlighted the need to overhaul outdated policies like the 1964 Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136), calling it ill-equipped for today’s mobility challenges, especially with the emergence of electric vehicles and app-based transport.
"Yung pinupunto mo na kung meron tayong mga existing na batas na pwedeng ito yung magsisilbing magiging sangkalan ng ating mga kababayan, ang kailangan natin dito ma-revisit natin, ma-review natin at ma-strengthen pa natin kung ano yung mga pagkukulang," he said.
Abaton further shared that using his deep institutional experience to advocate for systemic transport change—pushing for reforms that go beyond short-term fixes.
“Araw-araw, halos 40 katao ang namamatay Pilipinas ngayon. At a minimum yan. At sa Pilipinas, meron tayong halos 13,000 kada taon. Ang Metro Manila po, nag-average tayo ng 267 road cross related incidents,” Abaton pointed out.
“Masyado nang tumatagal at yung lumalalang problema natin sa ating kakalsadahan, yung road rage. Wala tayong batas against road rage,” he said.
“Sabi nga natin sa amin, sa BTS Bayaning Super, kasama doon sa mga sustainable na intervention, na kumbaga ipupulso natin ay yung integration ng road safety education sa ating public educational system,” he added.
Project ‘Tsuper-scholar’ and ‘Tsuper Village’ for transport workers
“Ang pinaka-challenges ng ating mga tsuper even up to this time, halos wala po silang mga insurance. Well, ang nangyayari lang dyan, ang idea dito sa public transport modernization program,” Abaton said.
“Kasama sa isinusulong ng BTS ang libreng medical accident insurance para sa mga tsuper,” he claimed.
Abaton, together with the BTS Partylist, aims to have free medical accident insurance for drivers and their families that would provide automatic coverage for accredited public utility drivers.
Recognizing the transport workers, Abaton said that they have a “Tsuper-scholars” program, which is an educational support that provides scholarships and subsidies for the children of transport drivers.
“At doon sa mga pag-aaral, mayroon pong super-scholar,” he declared.
Aside from education, Abaton discussed that they aim to develop a “Tsuper Village”, a transport-centric housing project designed specifically for transport workers and their families.
“Mayroon din po kaming pangarap na magkaroon ng tinatawag namin sa social housing program, yung “Tsuper Village”. So, ibig sabihin yan, tayo po ay magkakaroon ng programang pabahay,” Abaton stated.
#BakitIkaw: Bayaning Tsuper Partylist?
As the elections draw near, BTS positions itself as the voice of a long-overlooked sector, seeking to institutionalize reform and raise the bar in public service.
“Kailangan po magtuloy-tuloy. Tingnan natin yung credentials ng mga tumatakbo,” Abaton urged. “Dahil kapag tayo’y napapakamot, pabudol, tatlong taon o anim na taon naman na natin iindain.”
He said that they should win the 2025 elections because they have real expertise, a thorough understanding, and a desire to provide Filipino transport workers with the modern, safe system Filipinos deserve.
Abaton also challenged voters and candidates to reflect on who truly deserves their vote.
A seasoned transport official and former LTO Regional Director, Abaton is banking on two decades of government experience to drive long-overdue reforms in the country’s public transport system.
“Ang BTS, ang ibig sabihin po niyan, Boses ng Transport Sector,” Abaton concluded.
