President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.deliver his message during the Art X Design: A Special Reception of the 50 Years of Philippines Design and Beyond Exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila on February 23, 2024. KJ Rosales, PPA pool

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday called out public utility drivers who have been used to disregarding traffic rules, saying driving etiquette in the Philippines should be modernized alongside the government’s push to upgrade traditional jeepneys.

“Higit pa sa pagbabago at pagmoderno ng mga pampublikong sasakyan, kailangan na rin nating iwanan ang lumang pag uugali sa kalye,” the President said in a vlog.

“Dapat moderno na din ang bagong Pilipino ay disiplinado sa pagmamaneho, nagbibigayan, may konsiderasyon sa kapwa, sumusunod sa batas trapiko. Yan ang mga kailangan nating imodernize din,” he said.

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While Marcos Jr. did not say if stiffer penalties would be imposed against traffic violators, the President underscored the need for discipline among drivers.

“Tama na yung mga madamot sa daan, mga nagbaba ng pasahero sa gitna ng daan, mga hindi ginagalang ang bike lane, hindi pinapadaan ang mga ambulansya, magpapark sa tabi ng daan na naging obstruction sa daloy ng traffic,” he said.

“Bagong Pilipinas na po tayo. Disiplina ang dapat pairalin.”

The President gave the statement as he responded to letters from his supporters, one of whom asked about the phaseout of traditional jeepneys in the Philippines.

While the government has been rolling out its public utility vehicle modernization program, which requires drivers to form cooperatives and upgrade to more eco-friendly vehicles, the President noted that jeepneys would not be totally removed from the streets.

“Hindi po natin pinapalitan ang ating traditional jeepney, ginagawa lang nating modern,” he said.

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“Kapag ginawa nating electric yang mga yan, mas malaki ang kikitain ng mga nagpapasada dahil ang cost per kilometer ay mas mababa,” he said.

“Bukod pa doon ay hindi tayo nagdadagdag sa pollution at tayo sa Pilipinas ay ginagawa din ang lahat ng kaya nating gawin para tugunan ang problema ng climate change,” he said.

Earlier this month, a transport group filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman against top Transportation officials over alleged human rights violations related to the PUV modernization program.

The case alleges that government officials in charge of the PUV modernization program did not observe due process and equal protection clause of Article II of the Constitution, depriving drivers of work and support for families.

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