Laguna fatal jeepney mishap highlights need to modernize PUVs — LTO

Vigor Mendoza
—LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

MANILA, Philippines — The fatal accident involving a jeepney unit in Nagcarlan, Laguna highlights the necessity of modernizing public utility vehicles (PUV) in the country, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Sunday.

The accident claimed the lives of two and injured 15 people after a jeepney unit lost its brakes while faring the road on Friday.

According to LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, such accidents involving “old” PUVs are not new and will continue if the government would not intervene to modernize such units.

“Marami ng katulad na insidente na nangyari noon at paulit-ulit lang itong mangyayari kung hindi gagawa ng karampatang aksyon ang ating pamahalaan upang maging maayos ang transportasyon sa ating bansa,” Mendoza said in a statement.

(Many similar incidents have occurred in the past, and this will only happen repeatedly if our government does not take appropriate action to improve transportation in our country.)

“Through the PUV Modernization Program [PUVMP], our commuters will be assured of [a] comfortable and safe mode of transportation. This will also benefit other road users in terms of their safety,” he added.

In a previous statement, Transportation Chief Jaime Bautista likewise said that the PUVMP will “uplift the safety and comfort of Filipino commuters.”

The PUVMP aims to upgrade the country’s land transportation system, as it will replace traditional PUVs with modern minibuses fitted with “environment-friendly” engines, CCTVs, and automatic fare collection systems, among others.

READ: DOTr reiterate importance of franchise consolidation in PUV modernization 

This, however, is assailed by numerous transport and progressive groups, citing job displacement and inadequacies in the implementation of the program.