Put jeepneys where tricycles are aplenty

The supposedly nationwide strike was called a success by the Piston group, but despite their calls to stop the proposed jeepney modernization, the Department of Transportation  (DOTr) reiterated the need to modernize public utility vehicles. At the first Roads and Traffic Expo in the Philippines, the DOTr lamented how jeepney operators think they own their franchise. In his keynote speech, Mark de Leon, DOTr OIC Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure said, “Unfortunately, a lot of people, a lot of jeepney operators think that their franchise is their right…that they own the franchise. They don’t realize that their franchise is only their privilege.” I’m glad this reality was given to those jeepney drivers who always violate our traffic laws.

Undersecretary De Leon further said that public transportation operators should be financially capable before they could be awarded franchise. Perhaps the best thing that De Leon said was “If you’re not financially capable you should not be doing public transportation business. Don’t let people suffer because you are running these dilapidated jeepneys.” He further added there is truly a need to modernize public utility vehicles so it would be “environment-friendly, guided by technology, manned by disciplined and law-abiding drivers, and using rationalized routes.”

At this point Piston has never answered my queries why so many jeepney drivers turn off their lights simply because these drivers are trying to save their batteries. But what? At the expense of the safety of their passengers? This happens in places in Cebu City because by 7 p.m. the traffic enforcers are already off duty and these drivers know that no one gets to arrest them for this type of violation.

Another blatant violation that these franchise holders do is park their jeepneys on many side streets when their franchises specifically inform the LTFRB where their official parking lots for their jeepneys are located. This is why you see so many jeepneys parked on the side of the street simply because they really have no parking space for their jeepneys.

However at this point, allow me to propose to the LTFRB to redistribute these jeepneys plying in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu or Metro Davao to areas that are still cluttered by those pesky tricycles. Yes, it is time for the DOTr to also put a stop to the tricycle, which is very slow; they worsen the traffic situation and can only carry a few passengers. In Metro Cebu, many commuters ride a “habal-habal” motorbike because there are no jeepneys that travel their routes. I dare say for LTFRB to put those jeepneys to these areas so at least they won’t be out of jobs… but continue with modernizing our mass transportation system, as this is a legacy by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

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Call it good timing that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has flown to Russia for bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev where they will be holding separate bilateral talks as the Philippines seeks to expand diplomatic ties with Russia during this five-day state visit. The Philippine delegation is also expected at the Philippine-Russia Business Forum and Philippine Cultural Gala Performance. Certain Cebu business groups are with the President on this historic visit. For sure Pres. Duterte would be asking some kind of military assistance from Russia.

On their way to Russia, the Philippine delegation dropped by Doha as it is a direct flight from Doha to Moscow. It was also announced that Pres. Duterte held talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein before proceeding to Sochi, south of Moscow. This is the second visit of Pres. Duterte to Moscow. His first visit was unfortunately cut off when Muslim extremists captured Marawi City in May two years ago, which forced Pres. Duterte to cut short his visit to Putin.

Today, Pres. Duterte will have a series of official activities in Sochi, Russia’s summer destination, that include a speaking engagement during the plenary session of Valdai Conference Forum where he will share the stage with Pres. Putin and other guest world leaders. His other activities will include a walking tour of the Kremlin. In Moscow, he will also be laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. This is going to be an interesting tour for Pres. Duterte because surrounding the walls of the Kremlin lies a huge burial ground or necropolis. For instance he will see 240 burial sites for the pro-Bolshevik victims of the October Revolution. Then there is the tomb of Lenin and Stalin, all famous Communist leaders and other famous Russian leaders. This is what makes Moscow interesting. We shall be hearing more from this visit in the coming days.

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