Poe seeks more information on jeepney modernization plan
January 16, 2018 | 1:25pm
Poe also cautioned jeepney operators against going on strike because the "lack of transportation hits the commuters hard and disrupts work and classes." Philstar.com, file
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation should submit its report to the Senate to help give the public more information on its program to modernize public transportation in the Philippines.
"We want to know what has happened to the modernization program. Has the DOTr come up with clear guidelines on how to implement this? There are still many things to be ironed out," Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement Tuesday.
She said the update will help avoid confusion and misinformation during the department's planned phaseout of jeepneys older than 15 years old. The gradual phaseout will reportedly be done over the next three years.
"All the details should be laid on the table because as far as ordinary jeepney drivers are concerned, it is their livelihood that is at stake here," Poe said.
Poe also cautioned jeepney operators against holding street protests because the "lack of transportation hits the commuters hard and disrupts work and classes."
Transport group Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) has already announced it will hold protests outside Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board across the country on January 24 to oppose the modernization program, which they say is unfair to small and single-unit operators.
Piston president George San Mateo said the group will also ask the government to grant a fuel discount of P6 per liter to jeepney drivers in response to Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, which took effect on January 1. The law hikes excises taxes on fuel, which will mean an increase in pump prices.
He made clear, however, that it will not be a strike and will not inconvenience commuters.
In October, DoTr told a House panel that the government was still conducting studies to "rationalize" the public transportation routes across the country.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark De Leon said then that studies were underway in Metro Manila in cooperation with experts from UP Diliman. Studies in Cebu are being done in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and in Davao with the Asian Development Bank.
Local government units outside these urban centers are also expected to create their own local transportation plans and routes.
Because rationalization involves determining the appropriate mode of public transport based on public demand, some routes may be assigned higher-capacity vehicles like buses.
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