It is hard and painful to let go of something that has become part of our culture and history. Jeepneys, also popularly known as “jeeps” or “jitney”, have been an icon of Philippine history since the American colonial period. Jitneys have withstood attempts to remove them off the road and to obliterate their imposing presence, all in the name of modernization.
Supposedly after June 30 of this year, we will not see any more colorful vehicles plying our major thoroughfares since this is the date set to comply with the requirements under the PUV modernization program. Single operators who fail to meet the consolidation requirement by the deadline shall have their franchises or certificate of public convenience revoked under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2023-013. The franchises of operators who fail to consolidate shall also be “automatically rewarded” to the existing consolidated entity operating along the same route.
Because of the impending phaseout of traditional jeepneys, transport group Manibela threatens to hold a strike from March 6 to 12, claiming it would deprive drivers of their livelihood. They said drivers could not meet the June 30 deadline as the high costs of modernizing jeepneys are burdensome to them. To avert a potential nationwide disruption of work, classes, and other important activities, President Marcos extended the deadline from June 30 to December 31.
However, some players in the transport sector have criticized Manibela since the jeepney drivers and operators were given enough time to hold public consultations and join cooperatives to afford the modern units since the program rolled out in 2017.
The modernization program encountered several hitches. Reports show the modern jeepneys that replaced or will replace the thirty-year-old king of the road conked out after a few years. The cost of the modern jeepney is another stumbling block since many drivers and operators cannot afford to finance its acquisition. One modern jeepney will cost P2.4 million, which is too high to put operators and drivers in debt. The financing offered by the government is viewed by many stakeholders in the industry as too burdensome at 6 percent per annum, making one jeepney cost P3.4 million.
Amid the noise and haste to modernize our transport system, the riding public’s welfare should always be a paramount concern of all parties involved. We cannot sacrifice public safety just because the drivers and operators cannot afford the cost of the modern jeepney. But the government cannot turn a blind eye to the birthing pains of the modernization program. It has to put the house in order.
After six years of an unsuccessful attempt to fully implement the program, is six months enough to fix all the problems? The timeline is definitely impossible if we continue fighting for our interests at the expense of public welfare.