Kiko urges gov’t to allow resumption of jeepney, UV Express operations 

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday called on the government to allow jeepney and UV Express to get back on the road with thousands of commuters still bearing the brunt of lack of transport options.

He said that unlike jeepneys, the allowed point-to-point buses can only ply major highways, forcing commuters to walk from their homes to bus stops.

“Araw-araw na kalbaryo ang nangyayari. Kapag pinayagan nang bumalik sa kalye ang jeepney at UV Express, dalawang problema ang agad masosolusyonan: sasakyan para sa commuters at trabaho para sa jeepney at UV Express drivers,” he said in a statement.

(When jeepneys and UV Express [vehicles] are allowed on the road, two problems are being solved: it will give transportation to commuters and drivers will have their source of income.)

Starting Monday, the government allowed modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) to ply the roads.

Transport groups like the Coalition of Operators and Drivers of UV Express Atbp. (Codex) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) earlier appealed to government to allow them to operate as their vehicles are ready to serve the public, complying with physical distancing measures.

The senator said that health and safety protocols like social distancing and regular disinfection can still be done in traditional jeepneys and UV Express.

However, Malacañang said that the return of jeepneys in the streets is still being studied, citing claims that physical distancing would be difficult to observe because of the seating arrangement in jeepneys.

“Nakakatiyak tayo na handang maging bahagi muli ng work force ang mga PUV driver at tumulong na pasiglahin ang productivity para bumilis ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at maalis na sa gobyerno ang paggastos nang malaki para sa social amelioration,” he added.

(We are sure that drivers are ready to be part again of the workforce and help spur productivity so that the economy could quickly recover and the government is relieved from spending huge amount through social amelioration.)

Mass transportation has been suspended for more than two months since Luzon and other parts of the country were placed under enhanced community quarantine in mid-March to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Since June 1, Metro Manila has been under general community quarantine, which allowed modern jeepneys and buses to resume operations.

JPV