MMDA: Gov’t can’t be held hostage by transport strikes vs modern jeeps
ROUTINE BECOMES ORDEAL Hundreds of commuters are forced to wait longer than usual for their ride in scorching heat along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon city, a scene replicated in other parts of the metropolis, due to a usual shortage of public utility vehicles (PUVs). (File photo by NiÑo Jesus Orbeta)
MANILA, Philippines — Government should not be held “hostage” by groups opposing the jeepney modernization program, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes said Monday.
Artes reiterated 70 percent of driver’s population nationwide has complied with the program.
He said the plan is in line with a law mandating jeepney modernization.
“Hindi tayo magpapa-hostage sa ganyang pananakot,” the MMDA official said in a statement.
(We will not be held hostage by these threats.)
“Ang cancellation ng klase ay call ng mga LGUs (local government units). Nag-online classes naman, hindi total cancellation,” he noted.
(The cancellation of classes is a call by LGUs. There were online classes, not total cancellation.)
“Ang atin pong pamahalaan ay hindi puwedeng i-hostage ng banta ng economic sabotage at inconvenience ng commuting public, lalong-lalo na kung ang dine-demand mo ay mali,” Artes explained.
(Our government cannot be held hostage by threats of economic sabotage and inconvenience of the commuting public, especially if what you are demanding is wrong.)
“Tandaan po natin, ang jeepney modernization ay inuutos ng batas,” he said.
(Let us remember, jeepney modernization is mandated by law.)
On October 13, transport group Manila said it will continue to conduct a nationwide transport strike beginning on Monday (October 16).
The statement comes, even after former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado recanted the corruption allegations he threw against the board.
According to Manibela, the transport strike calls for “the suspension and review of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).”
The group said the program “eventually led to graft and corrupt practices of some government officials.”
In 2017, government introduced PUVMP in a bid to improve public transportation.
The program’s objective was to replace old and traditional jeepneys, buses, and other PUVs with more comfortable and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Citing a paper written by retired University of the Philippines Los Baños professor Teodoro Mendoza, INQUIRER.net reported that the program has two main blindsides.
One is the high cost of each modern jeepney.
Second is the possible fare hike increase resulting from the purchase of modern units.
Based on Mendoza’s paper, modern vehicles operating through either electricity or environment-friendly fuel come with a cost of P2.4 to P2.6 million each in 2020.
He said this could translate to an increase in capital outlay for operators of P1.4 million to P1.6 million.
To help the transport sector, Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced last October 12 that it had approved the additional equity subsidy.
The assistance was for public utility vehicle operators and driver who want to join the department’s modernization program.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista had signed on August 31 a Department order increasing the equity subsidy to a range of P210,000 to P280,000 per unit.
This adjustment is up from the previous subsidy amounting to P160,000.
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