Modernizing the jeepney

We’re sick and tired, and dying, from the terrible traffic jams that we have to live with day after day after day.  The jams are caused by jeepneys, buses, private vehicles, and the motorbikes that wave around motor vehicles like crazy.  Our patience stalled in the congestion is wearing out, and the money we should be earning from our jobs, and  the whole economy, is in a trembling state. We’re told by experts that in Metro Manila alone, the traffic congestion costs the Philippine economy some P3 billion each day. 

With so many factors contributing to the jams, the jeepney is marked  the first culprit, not to be phased out, but reformed, or, in  the government transportation planners’ lingo, “modernized.”

The Department of Industry  has embarked on a Public Utility Vehicle (PUV)  modernization program” that, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, is mandated by law “because it is good for the country and for the people.” 

The program’s implementation rests with the Manila Development Authority (MMDA) whose chairman is retired Gen. Danilo Lim, and general manager is Thomas “Tim” Orbos who is also Transportation undersecretary.

Orbos is 52 years old, with a BA in interdisciplinary studies from Ateneo, an  MBA from  the University of Asia and the Pacific, and head of his own  research and consultancy company. He’s held lower positions at MMDA, but as its head for two years he’s had to parry verbal blows and strikes from jeepney operators and drivers who feel disadvantaged by the demands of the program.

The main objectives of the PUV modernization program, Orbos said in a small media meeting, are to modernize the current PUV fleet, reform and consolidate the industry, move  toward low emission PUVs, improve the welfare of commuters and encourage modal shift, and improve the standards of living of drivers, operators, and their families. 

Orbos is optimistic about the reformation of the country’s public transport system which, he agrees with critics, “is deemed unsafe, unhealthy, unreliable and uncomfortable.” Consider these realities:

-Public utility buses and public utility jeepneys serve 67 percent of demand but use 28 percent of road space.

- Of the 179,663 PUJs nationwide, 90 per cent are 15 years old and above.

-17 percent ambient air pollution in Metro Manila and up to 80 percent in other cities is caused by PUJs.

- PUJ  passengers are 10 times more likely to get into accidents than private car riders.

Under the program, not all PUVs will be phased out, but those more than 15 years old will have to go. They will be replaced with new models equipped with automated fare collection systems, digital security, dashboard cameras, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, GPS tracking  devices and speed limiters. 

Planned to be released are 200,000 to 250,000 jeepneys.

There will be two kinds of  jeepneys – electric jeeps or that using the  Euro-4 fuel which is practically pollution-free. They will cost from P1.2 to P1.6 million each. 

Drivers are encouraged to form associations or co-ops, so they can obtain a franchise to operate. They can avail of a combined P2.5 billion special financing plan from Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines, and pay for their loans in seven years.  

The associations are asked  to re-educate PUV operators and drivers on basic road discipline, courtesy and safety.  For this, commuters will be grateful. 

In a press statement, Second District Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel (PDP-Laban) said the government is spending P843 million next year to jump start the nationwide implementation of the modernization program. The initial funding of the program, officially launched in June this year, is included in the 2018 budget of the Department of Tourism. 

The program, he said, “is a highly constructive program overall. The government is basically stepping in to assure the public a better way to commute in the years ahead, while giving PUV operators and drivers the opportunity to upgrade their vehicles.”

Orbos said part of the program is establishing new routes for vehicles as part of the decongestion  process. Some drivers  take shortcuts, making right and left turns to avoid traffic jams (which they themselves cause).  This calls for coordination with local government units. 

Another important feature is the standardization of the salary of jeepney drivers to prevent strident  competition for passengers.

He said something has yet to be done about keeping errant motorcycle bikers in tow.

We saw pictures of the modernized jeepney. The body will be longer than the present one plying the streets, the doors will be on the side, equipped with power steering, hand brake, and can accommodate 22 sitting passengers and eight standing passengers.

Orbos mentioned in passing further targets of the modernization program, such as the billion peso worth of walkways with escalators, and the transfer of bus terminals from their present locations to ease congestion.

He said it’s understandable that the present traffic mess causes people to be impatient, and there are sectors concerned about losing their jobs. But these concerns are being answered. What we are concerned about is the safety of commuters  and the time they save from having a good transport system.

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Former President Fidel V. Ramos and the Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc. will host the 10th Rafael M. Salas Golf Cup on Nov. 23, Thursday at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club.

With the theme “Nurturing Mother Earth, Women and Girls,” this year’s staging will be participated by at least 100 avid golfers who will play to support the annual event’s cause.

The tournament is open to all amateur golfers for an entry fee of P5,000 that includes a donation to this noble cause, green fee, special edition Salas golf giveaways, door prize, buffet lunch during and raffle.

Participants are also entitled to win the hole-in-one prize at stake – a Ducati Scrambler Sixty2.

Registration opens at 6 a.m. Sequential tee-off is from 6 to 9 a.m. The ceremonial tee-off at 7:30 a.m. shall be led by former President Ramos himself.

The tournament is named after Rafael Salas, a patriot par excellence who dedicated himself to serving his people in various government posts notably, executive secretary of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. In the international community, he served as the first executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of undersecretary-general and is known as “Mr. Population.”

The event’s major sponsors include DKT Philippines, San Miguel Corp., PAGCOR, Filinvest Development Corp., Marubeni Philippines, Group Management Development Inc., Team Energy, Lopez Group, Northstar Transport Facilities Inc., Asia United Bank, Alpha One (Benedicto Steel Corp.), PCSO, SGV, San Roque Power Corp., SSS, Land Bank, DBP, Meralco, Pilipinas Shell, Trans Asia, Quickminds, Philippine Resources Savings Bank, Stradcom, Grand Videoke, Business Mirror, among others.

For ticket reservation or sponsorship, please call Golf Marketing Central at 6970520, 0917-8400119 or email [email protected].

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Email: [email protected]