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20240426-20170629-ejeep-MD-2

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171414092970520240426-20170629-ejeep-MD-2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Local manufacturers exhibit their iterations of the e-jeep during the ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit in Pasay City.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Local manufacturers exhibit their iterations of the e-jeep during the ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit in Pasay City. <em> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>Instead of pushing through with the April 30 deadline, a transport coalition on Friday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pick priority areas where it can ensure proper implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.</div><p>During a media forum, Kenneth Abante of Move as One Coalition said that the government would only be biting more than it can chew if it tries to enforce the program “everywhere, all at once with very little budget and staffing.”</p><p>“Mas mahalaga po na ma-monitor yung mga tinatawag nating service plans kung saan, tayo, bilang commuter, we can expect a proper level of service: frequent yung public transport trips, may designated stops, may designated schedule… That can only happen if the government focuses its attention in these priority routes,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/23/-laban-ng-tsuper-laban-ng-komyuter-1432" id="isPasted">&#x27;Laban ng tsuper, laban ng komyuter&#x27;</a></div><p>The group also pointed out that the government itself has yet to finish the crafting of local public transport route plans, which consolidated transport entities are supposed to follow to improve commuter service quality.</p><p>“So kung meron pang mga kailangan i-prepare na hindi pa na-prepare, bakit kailangan i-pwersa yung April 30 deadline?” said Abante.</p><p>Under the modernization program, individual PUV operators who fail to consolidate into transport cooperatives or corporations will no longer be allowed to operate by May 1.</p><p>Move as One Coalition said this would only further cripple the country’s public transport supply, and make the lives of commuters worse, especially at a time when the Philippine National Railways has suspended its operations in Metro Manila and amid moves to ban e-bicycles and e-tricycles on major roads.</p><div><strong>INCENTIVE TO CONSOLIDATE</strong></div><p>Abante said the government should also give jeepney drivers an incentive to consolidate and not just force or scare them into complying.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/26/end-of-the-road-philippine-jeepneys-face-uncertain-future-1201" id="isPasted">End of the road? Philippine jeepneys face uncertain future </a></div><p>He said one of the ways this can be done is by partnering with local government units in the implementation of service contracting which will guarantee income for the consolidated transport groups. </p><p>“Isa po itong programa kung saan ang operator ng bus or jeep ay babayaran ng pamahalaan para magbigay ng maaasahan at dekalidad na serbisyo sa mga pasahero. Mas maayos, makatarungan sa mga operator at driver, at ligtas para sa mga pasahero,” said Abante. </p><p>The National Confederation of Transport Workers Union (NCTU) vouched for this approach, noting that in Batangas, one of the cooperatives affiliated with them, was able to buy two modern jeepneys from the proceeds they got from service contracts.</p><p>“Kumita sila ng P24 million sa loob ng two months. Napakarelevant nito kasi, halimbawa, ngayon tumataas nanaman ang krudo, ang laki ng presyo mga modernized jeepney, tapos mababa yung subsidy. Pero nakikita natin na guaranteed na makakabayad sila,” said NCTU Secretary General Jaime Aguilar.</p><div><strong>CAPACITY BUILDING</strong></div><p>Another thing that the NCTU said is lacking right now is capacity building for existing transport cooperatives to be able to manage their fleet efficiently.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/10/marcos-says-april-30-deadline-for-puv-consolidation-is-final-1018" id="isPasted">Marcos: April 30 deadline for PUV consolidation is final </a></div><p>“Sa Cebu, marami nang modernized jeepneys pero yun pa rin ang sistema, nag-aagawan sa pasahero kasi walang fleet management. May overloading pa rin,” said NCTU Visayas Coordinator Angie Mata.</p><p>Mata said many transport cooperatives are also not equipped to handle internal conflicts.</p><p>“May conflict within so kailangan ipadaan mo sa mediation committee ng kooperatiba mo. Pero yung problema, yung mediation committee mo, hindi rin alam anong gagawin kasi wala silang appropriate trainings,” she said.</p><div><strong>JUST TRANSITION</strong> </div><p>The groups also stressed the need for a bigger equity subsidy to help consolidated entities modernize their units.</p><p>Move as One Coalition proposes around P16 billion every year for five years to provide a just transition for more than 160,000 public utility jeepney vehicles nationwide.</p><p>“Yung programa po na napasa this year was P1.6 billion. This means only P10,000 average is there now to support the transition of 160,000 registered jeeps. If each modern jeepney costs P2-P3 million, is this P10,000 equity subisidy enough?” said Abante. </p><p>A bigger budget is also needed to properly compensate transport workers who will voluntarily opt out of the program and those who will be displaced by it.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/4/12/francisco-motors-eyes-100-terminals-for-electric-jeeps-nationwide-1614" id="isPasted">Francisco Motors eyes 100 terminals for electric jeeps nationwide </a></div><p>NCTU meanwhile emphasized the role of Congress, and called on lawmakers to increase the budget of the DOTr so that it will be able to fund the programs.</p><p>“Hindi pwedeng ang gagawin po ng mga mambabatas natin pagka pumapalpak ang LTFRB ay papatawag ng public hearing, maghahanap ng accomplishment pero wala namang malaking budget na ibinibigay para sa transportation,” said Aguilar.</p><p>For his part, DOTr Undersecretary Andy Ortega, who joined the forum online, vowed to continue engaging with the transport coalition and find a way to incorporate their recommendations.</p><p> “Ang tutok na po namin, how to move forward by improving further the program. Yung na-mention niyo pong equity subsidy, service contracting, capacity building, yung budget sa government, etc… kung hanggang saan ko kayang ipupush base sa aking prinsipyo, paniniwala, gagawin ko yun,” said Ortega. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/07/23/local-manufacturer-offers-e-jeepney-for-less-than-p1-m" id="isPasted">Local manufacturer offers e-jeepney for less than P1-M </a></div><p>“But I’ll have to be honest, wala po tayong ilusyon na makukuha natin lahat. We live in a world with rules, with limitations at tsaka compromises,” he added. </p><p>Ortega also sought the transport coalition’s help in pressuring congress to allocate more funds for the program. </p><p>“Magtulungan po tayo para maglagay ng magandang pressure sa ating mga kasamahan para madagdagan ang budget,” he said.</p>

<p>A transport coalition on Friday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pick priority areas where it can ensure proper implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.</p>

A transport coalition on Friday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pick priority areas where it can ensure proper implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

DOTr urged to focus on select routes first on jeepney modernization

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DOTr urged to focus on select routes first on jeepney modernization

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 26, 2024 10:16 PM PHT

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Updated May 29, 2024 01:58 PM PHT

Read More:

PUVMP

Jeepney phaseout

Move as One Coalition

Transport cooperatives

DOTr

LTFRB

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