FOLLOWING the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte to eliminate old jeepneys starting January 2018, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking support from the private sector for its jeepney modernization program that will affect 270,000 jeepneys nationwide.
“The government is implementing a very important non-infrastructure project, the largest non-infrastructure program of all administrations combined. This is the PUJ modernization program,” DOTr Undersecretary Thomas Orbos told the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on Wednesday.
The official said there will be two operators from Cebu that are slated to release 100 modern jeepneys starting in January.
Sought for comment, CCCI trustee for transportation Benedict Que said he is supportive of the jeepney modernization program, as this will entail a cleaner and more comfortable ride for the public.
He said having modern jeepneys will also ensure a safer mode of transportation for commuters.
Melanie Ng, CCCI president, said the chamber is yet to release an official stand on the matter, adding that any transportation-related program that will ease traffic congestion will probably gain support.
Under the DOTr’s jeepney modernization program, jeepneys aged 15 years and older should be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.
The modern jeepney should also be equipped with safety features such as a speed limiter, closed-circuit television camera (CCTV), GPS, and dashboard camera. It will also be outfitted with an automated fare collection system.
As to concerns on how jeepney drivers or operators may modernize or acquire new jeepneys, Orbos said the government will adopt the “5-6-7” scheme to speed up ownership of modern fleets, or “five percent down payment, six percent interest, and seven years to pay.” One modern jeepney is estimated to cost around P1 million. Orbos said the government will also give drivers who will apply for modernization about P80,000 each, an amount they can use for the down payment.
Junior Chamber International Metro Cebu Uptown past president Rey Godilano said the jeepney modernization program is one that will fix traffic woes in Cebu, noting that old jeepneys malfunctioning on the street have caused congestion at times.
“We can modernize our jeepeneys, but we cannot remove them because these have become a symbol for Filipinos,” he said.
To answer concerns on displaced drivers should the jeepney modernization fully take effect, Orbos said DOTr, through the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), will provide training for drivers on other livelihood opportunities, and their families may avail themselves of scholarship programs with the transportation agency.
Duterte earlier warned jeepneys to comply with DOTR’s modernization program or face consequences.
“I’ll give you until the end of the month or until the end of the year. Comply because come Jan. 1, if I see an unregistered jeepney, old ones, I will have it towed in front of you. If you want disarray, I have lots of policemen,” he said in a recent speech.