Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto
MANILA, Philippines — The extension of the provisional franchise of traditional jeepneys should be the proper time for the government to fine-tune and adjust the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph Recto said on Thursday.
Recto, in a statement, said that the extension franchises’ validity — from June 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023 — should give the government time to make the PUV modernization program more acceptable to drivers.
He also believes that the extension does not mean any changes to the program, saying that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appears intent on implementing the PUV modernization plan.
“It was not even a U-turn. ‘Ika nga, hindi n’ya binago ang ruta. ‘Yun pa rin ang destinasyon: isang sistema na wagi ang lahat at walang luhaan,” Recto said.
(It was not even a U-turn. As they say, he didn’t change the route, it is still the same destination: a system where everyone wins.)
“Gamitin (sana) ito para mas pagandahin ang programa. Bawasan ang ‘pain points’ sa mga driver, mananakay at operators,” he added.
(I hope they use this period to enhance the program. Reduce the ‘pain points’ of drivers, commuters, and operators.)
According to the lawmaker, the government can use the extra time to assess whether jeepney drivers and operators can actually cope with the expenses of the modern jeep, which costs around P2.8 million.
Recto also proposed that the deadlines on a PUV’s validity be studied, noting that proper maintenance is the key to making vehicles last longer and the road, and at the same time, still be efficient and environment-friendly.
“Kung ang sticker price ng modern jeep ay P2.8 million, talaga namang mahal (If the sticker price of the modern jeep is P2.8 million, it is really costly),” he said.
“‘Yong mga taxi sa Hong Kong at ibang bansa, deka-dekada na ang edad. Tama si Presidente — when it comes to cars, age is not the only factor; maintenance is,” he added.
(Taxis in Hong Kong and other countries are decades-old. The President is right — when it comes to cars, age is not the only factor; maintenance is.)
Last Monday, several transport groups announced a week-long strike starting from March 6, to protest the looming phaseout of the old and traditional jeepneys — which several drivers still use for their livelihoods, and which have been a staple for Filipino commuters.
Mar Valbuena, chairperson of transport group Manibela, said that the strike would be in protest of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Circular Memorandum No. 2023-013, which initially set the deadline for the jeepney phaseout on June 30, 2023.
READ: 7-day strike vs jeepney ban set in Metro Manila, regions
In response, Marcos has appealed to drivers to rethink their strike, assuring transport groups that the PUV modernization program would be studied further and tweaked.
LTFRB for their part extended the validity of the provisional franchises of traditional jeepneys.
READ: Marcos Jr. asks transport groups to rethink planned week-long strike
READ: As strike looms, gov’t moves jeepney franchise deadline
Despite these assurances, transport groups still maintained that the strike would continue.
READ: Week-long transport strike on March 6 will continue, says Manibela
Recto meanwhile suggested that the government can tap on its budget to support modernization of jeepneys, noting that traditional jeepneys can be upgraded through billions of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) funds.
What would happen, the lawmaker said, is that Tesda would use the upgrading of jeepneys as a learning material for technical-vocational students. With reports from Meralyn Melitante, trainee