Welcome to the 1st Policy Dialogue on Service Contracting for Efficient and Equitable Public Transport Systems
Background
Service contracting of public transport in the Philippines is a form of public private partnership. The private sector, in this case the transport operator, owns, manages and operates the asset, while the public sector sets the service standards and compensates the private sector for the services rendered based on the contract. In September 2020, through Department Order 2020-017, the Philippines’ Department of Transportation implemented for the first time the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Service Contracting Program. While service contracting was initiated to provide assistance to the critically impacted public transport sector, it is regarded today as part of the major reform of the public transportation sector, continuing beyond the pandemic and providing an opportunity for lasting improvements in service quality and sufficiency.
In August and October 2022, the University of Asia and the Pacific - Science Engineering and Management Research Institute (SEMRI) organized roundtable discussions with representatives from the academe, government, civil society and the private sector (transport cooperatives) to discuss the possible institutionalization of the service contracting program through legislation. During the roundtable discussions and subsequent meetings among transport professionals, we identify several issues and problems, which we group into four categories: Governance/legislation, operations & technology, public transport modernization/reform, and trust-building/partnerships.
On 22 March 2023, UA&P-SEMRI, in collaboration with the members of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, organized the 1st Policy Dialogue on Service Contracting for Efficient and Equitable Public Transport Systems. This conference on service contracting, which is the first of its kind in the Philippines, aims to offer perspectives, proposals and insights on the implementation of service contracting of public transport.
We hope that this conference has become a venue for new ideas and research topics to emerge that may form part of a long-term transport research agenda.
Scientific Committee
Dr. Alexis Fillone, Full Professor, Civil Engineering, De La Salle University
Dr. Robert Billones, Associate Professor, Manufacturing Engineering And Management, De La Salle University
Dr. Sandy Gaspay, Associate Professor, Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines / Research Fellow, UP National Center for Transportation Studies
Dr. Danielle Guillen, Professorial Lecturer, Asian Institute of Tourism, University of the Philippines / Japanese Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University
Dr. Sheilah Napalang, Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines / President, Transportation Science Society of the Philippines / Research Fellow, UP National Center for Transportation Studies
Dr. Varsolo Sunio, S&T Fellow 2, DOST-PCIEERD / Research Fellow, SEMRI, University of Asia and the Pacific
Dr. Noriel Tiglao, Professor, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines / Research Fellow, UP National Center for Transportation Studies
Organizing Committee
Dr. Florencio Gaa, Dean, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Asia and the Pacific
Dr. Enrique Ligot, Vice-Dean, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Asia and the Pacific
Dr. Varsolo Sunio, S&T Fellow 2, DOST-PCIEERD / Research Fellow, SEMRI, University of Asia and the Pacific
Ms. Karen Victoria Aragoncillo, Head, Event Secretariat
In collaboration with:
UA&P - Science and Engineering Society
Data Science Circle
Information Technology Community
Society of Industrial Engineering