Phaseout of traditional jeepneys will have ‘profound impact’ – Castro

In this 2017 photo, traditional jeepneys ply Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City. Philippine (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The phaseout of traditional jeepneys will have a “profound impact on transportation and economy, directly affecting approximately 28.5 million commuters while President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.] would again be jet-setting using taxpayers’ money,” Minority Leader Rep. France Castro said in a statement on Friday).

Castro cited the admission of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that 73.5 percent of Metro Manila jeeps have yet to consolidate.

“The resistance against mandatory consolidation is justified, as drivers and operators grapple with meeting the requirements and refuse to surrender their jeepney units, fully aware that they face an uncertain future under a commercialized ‘modernization’ program that favors big business. The impending mass transport crisis clearly demonstrates the failure of this forced consolidation scheme,” Castro said.

READ: Group hits PUV modernization program 

READ: LTFRB sets policies on consolidation application, deadline

In a separate statement, the Kabataan Partylist also hit the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, warning of a looming transportation crisis.

“We call on the young public to be present with the united Filipinos in this mobilization, to make their stories and voices heard, and to act now to avert disaster. Let us save our country from mass unemployment and the looming transportation crisis,”  Kabataan Partylist Executive Vice President Renee Co said.