DESPITE its crippling blow to productivity on Monday, the government resolved not to be intimidated by the transport strike led by various groups and will continue to implement the decades-old Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said the modernization program will be rolled out as planned, albeit the government will be more open to dialogue with the affected parties.
“It’s not an option for us to stop the program because of the transport strike,” he said. “The point is we need to continue to implement the modernization program.”
Monday saw transport groups staging a strike, affecting cities across the Philippines, including the capital, Manila. To cushion the effect of the protest, various government agencies teamed up to provide alternative means of transport for commuters.
Delgra noted that his group will be open to dialogue with the transport groups to thresh out their qualms.
The Philippines is in the midst of a six-year PUV modernization plan aiming to replace old jeepney units with low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles to help reduce air pollution and provide better transportation for commuters.
It has been on the government’s drawing board for more than a decade now but only came into effect last year, when the Duterte administration took a hard stance amid opposition from operators.
Under the program, several agencies under the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), Trade and Industry (DTI), and of Finance (DOF) are to work together to remove old and polluting units, replace them with vehicles with larger volume capacities, and improve the road-worthiness of public-utility units.
In a nutshell, the modernization agenda aims to effect a transition from current vehicles plying the road to “high-quality public-transit requisites.” The transportation department listed these items as follows: “higher capacity vehicles, low-emission vehicles, fleet consolidation, reformed business model and an effective information-technology system.”
Initial benefits of the program to commuters are easier access to public transport due to an expanded network that connects different routes and establishments, and the availability of “more reliable” public transportation means.
Reducing the carbon footprint that the Philippines produces annually, and educating drivers to improve their driving methods and techniques are part of the program.
“There is a need for us to continue this program, which is not a one-program-fix-all. Consultations are ongoing and we are listening. We know the issues that they raise, but we will continue with the implementation of the program — it may be a bit slow or maybe a bit fast, depending on the issues raised,” he said.
This is the fourth transport strike held against the PUV modernization program since President Duterte took office.
‘Spare 15-year-old’
Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) President Mody Floranda said operators and drivers are asking the government to delete certain provisions in the program, particularly the phaseout of 15-year-old jeepneys.
The right approach, he said, is to refurbish existing units to meet the standards set for transport modes.
“It is very clear that we are not against modernization. But what we need is rehabilitation,” he said.
Floranda said the strike was successful, as it “paralyzed 95 percent of Metro Manila, and 100 percent in other regions.”
Image credits: Nonie Reyes