TACLOBAN CITY—Pushed to cancel due to heavy and continuous rain brought by Typhoon Urduja last December 15, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) finally launched the controversial public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program here on January 23.
Assistant Secretary Anthony Gerald Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas said Tacloban was chosen for the launch of the government’s flagship program on public transport because of its fast economic growth and the “resilience” displayed by the locals when it easily bounced back from the devastation caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013.
Gonzales cited the 12.6-percent growth rate of the local economy recorded last year.
“Eastern Visayas is not only the fastest-growing economy earning a double-digit growth; it also holds the record of having the fastest rehabilitation among regions in the Yolanda corridor,” he said during the launch.
Held at the city’s Rizal Park, the launch drew over 1,000 city residents, mostly from the northern barangays that will be initially served by the electronic jeepneys. The gathering was also attended by officials of the DOTr and LTFRB, the city government and representatives of Star Green Technology Corp. and Solartech, the manufacturer of the vehicles and franchise holder, respectively.
At least 45 electronic jeepneys have been deployed for the transport needs of barangays in northern Tacloban, where over 15,000 families formerly living along the city’s high-risk areas will be relocated. Over 9,000 families have already been transferred while the rest are still awaiting the completion of houses being built by the National Housing Authority.
For commuter Maricel Bignay, a saleslady in downtown Tacloban, the electronic jeepneys are not only convenient but has helped lower her transportation budget since she no longer has to make a “special trip,” especially when she is assigned in the closing shift.
The electronic jeepneys started plying last December after the original launch date, augmenting the handful of diesel-run jeepneys plying the route.
Before the introduction of the modern transport system, residents in the area have to contend with a long waiting time to get a vehicle, while younger male students would have to scale and remain at the top of the roof of a fast-running jeepney just to reach home. Those who have money hire a tricycle for a special trip and pay as much as P150.
When President Duterte visited Tacloban’s relocation site in 2016, one issue persistently raised by the residents was the lack of public transport. He ordered the deployment of six buses to bring students and workers to and from the city, but it was not enough for the increasing number of people being relocated to permanent housing units.
LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said that when the framework modernization was finalized, they checked how the plan can possibly help residents in the area.
Delgra added the experience of the implementation of of PUV modernization in Tacloban will be used as a “template” in the implementation in other areas. Delgra brought with him regional directors of different LTFRB regional offices to observe the implementation and recommend further enhancement to it.
“This is the President’s gift to the people of Tacloban,” he said.