CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – City Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago is proposing for the transfer of old jeepneys to secondary routes as alternative to an impending phase out in light of the government’s proposed transport modernization program.
Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, public utility jeepneys which are 15 years old or older will not be allowed to run.
“We all know we are not above the law and the transport modernization program is a national government initiative that we have to abide with. But here in San Fernando, we could incorporate in our planned mass transport system the concerns of Fernandino jeepney drivers and operators who are one of the important sectors driving the local economy,” Santiago said.
“As an example, we could transfer their jeepneys 15 years old and older to secondary routes, kung papayag sila, without of course sacrificing the environment and welfare of Fernandino commuters,” the mayor added.
“As much as possible, we want to avoid phasing out their jeepneys since we also understand their economic predicament,” added Santiago.
He said the City Government will muster its resources to support drivers and operators who will be affected by the modernization program.
Under the city’s proposed point-to-point or P2P system, groups of jeepney operators or jeepney operators and drivers associations will be authorized by the City Government to ply specific routes in “pick and drop” style that will improve traffic and commuter convenience.
Santiago said that these groups will then be organized into cooperatives which will run the fleets for efficient operations and generate additional revenues for jeepney drivers and operators who will take on alternative routes.
“That way, we could really make it phase in and not phase out,” concluded Santiago.
Meanwhile Senator Grace Poe on Monday said that she found merit in the sentiment of jeepney drivers and operators for opposing the government’s plan to phase out old jeepneys.
She said she supported the government’s planned modernization of mass transport system but noted that any program to be implemented must be the outcome of transparent consultations.
“Let's aim for a win-win solution: one that will alleviate the traffic situation, help clean the environment and give productive income especially to the poor sectors of our society,” she said.
She pointed out that her office had been hearing complaints that the public consultations had become a mere formality to satisfy the requirements of the law and that not all groups were consulted.
“Modernization should not result in the displacement of jeepney drivers, who often belong to the country's poor,” Poe said in a statement.
“...The phase-out of jeepneys must be done gradually. Fleet management or maintenance of jeepney units through the Motor Vehicle Inspection System should also be included in the guidelines,” she added.
Poe, meanwhile, expressed hope that the transport strike would serve as a wake-up call to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to listen to the jeepney drivers and operators.
“With the high costs involved, the PUV modernization program should be looking at sustainable modernized PUV fleets. Hindi pwedeng basta bago lang (It doesn’t be a mere change),” Poe said. (with JTD/VoxPop Pampanga/PNA)
