DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is prioritizing local manufacturers in producing “modern jeepneys” under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the agency’s chief said on Tuesday.
“Mas pino-promote natin ‘yung local [manufacturers] dahil mas marami pong matutulungang gagawa niyan, marami pong job opportunities na mabibigay sa’ting mga kababayan,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said in an interview with TeleRadyo.
(We promote the local manufacturers more because there are more people who can be helped with that, there are more job opportunities that can be given to our countrymen.)
Bautista also said that the DOTr is already in talks with a local manufacturer in producing modern PUVs loyal to the traditional design of the jeepney.
“Meron na po silang pinakitang prototype at ang sabi ay gagawin po nila ‘yan sa Camarines Norte. So nagsisimula pa lang po sila and we support their program,” said Bautista.
(They have already shown a prototype and it is said that they will do that in Camarines Norte. So they are just starting and we support their program.)
According to Bautista, around six modern jeepneys retaining the traditional design are already plying the streets of Metro Manila, with 10 more dedicated to the Manila Hotel for tourist-use.
These modern jeepneys, said Bautista, run on Euro-4 diesel engines, with seats akin to the traditional jeepney but with doors located at the right of the vehicle.
“Bibigyan po natin ng linya ‘yan ‘yung mga ganiyang uri ng jeepney, iconic po pero modern (we will give a franchise to those types of jeepneys, iconic but modern),” he assured.
Meanwhile, Bautista in the same interview reiterated that the DOTr is still open to having a dialogue with transportation groups on their issues with the PUVMP.
Several transport groups are currently holding a week-long transport strike, starting March 6, in protest over the PUVMP, which they fear would lead to the eventual phaseout of traditional jeepneys costing thousands of drivers and operators their livelihood.