DOTr says it never recommended immediate traditional jeepney phaseout

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday that it has never recommended the immediate phaseout of traditional jeepneys until the country has enough modernized units for locals nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program has many components, but phaseout is among the last.

“We never recommended the immediate phaseout of the jeepneys. There are many components in the PUV modernization program, and jeepney phaseout is one of the last,” Bautista said over Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum.

“What we meant by phaseout is we will not allow the use of [those] not road-worthy. But as long as the units are road-worthy and are complying with the Philippine National Standards, we will allow the use of these units [to operate],” he added.

On Tuesday, Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena and Piston president Mody Florada spoke with Malacañang officials.

Valbuena explained that they support the government’s objective to provide comfortable and safe public transportation to Filipino commuters, but they only want the program to be inclusive and reasonable.

Meanwhile, Piston declared that their transportation strike was a “major success,” as its impact has forced Malacañang officials to face both groups, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would review the jeepney modernization program and its implementation.

In a separate statement also issued Wednesday, Floranda said that the group demanded the cancellation of Department of Transportation Department Order 2017-011 Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) and the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) during their meeting.

Following this request, Malacañang was pressed to review the contents of the OFG until December 31 this year. During the review, they also promised that drivers, operators, and commuters would be part of the entire process.

For his part, Bautista told Manibela to coordinate with the DOTr.

“I told Manibela to talk to me in a dialogue, and I will explain to them the modernization program. I will listen to their issues and complaints, and we will resolve all these and work together and implement the PUV modernization program as efficiently as we can,” he said.

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