Piston leader reiterates they’re not against jeepney modernization

Piston National President George San Mateo clarified on Monday that members and leaders of the No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition are not against the government transport modernization.

However, he said that some parts of the proposal are not acceptable to jeepney operators and drivers, as it would effectively kill their livelihood.

“Gusto naming linawin na hindi kami tutol sa modernization per se.  Gusto naming linawin ‘yan (We want to clarify that we aren’t against modernization per se),” San Mateo told reporters in an ambush interview after the Transport Unity Summit at Intramuros, Manila.

“In fact sabi nga namin sa pamahalaan, magsulong tayo ng modernization na applicable at the moment, na hindi mo winawasak ‘yong kabuhayan ng mga small operators,” he explained.

(In fact, we told the government to go ahead with the modernization that is applicable at the moment and won’t destroy the livelihood of small operators.)

San Mateo said that local jeepney producers have tried to create vehicles that would comply with the standards set by the government, but the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) prefers cars produced by other makers.

“In fact, marami nang mga kasalukuyang jeepney assemblers, nag-produce ng mga rehabilitated at upgraded jeepneys, na katulad ng specs na sinasabi ng DTI,” he claimed.

(There are many jeepney assemblers who are presently producing rehabilitated and upgraded jeepneys that comply with DTI’s specs.)

“Ayaw pa rin ng LTFRB ‘yon […] ang sabi ng LTFRB, ni Board Member (Aileen) Lizada, hindi raw pwede kasi hindi brand-new.  Pero ‘yong unit, road-worthy, pumasa naman sa smoke emission.  So bakit hindi payagan?” San Mateo asked.

(LTFRB still doesn’t want that; Board member Lizada said it’s not allowed because it’s not brand new. But the unit was road-worthy and passed the smoke emission test. So why isn’t it allowed?) /je