There are often many issues that warrant examination and discussion for this section of the BusinessMirror. It is difficult sometimes to know which topics should be prioritized. We would like to believe that the news “writes itself” but that is not true. There is always a human judgment call.
The headlines for the past two days focused on the proposed—or already implemented; we are not sure—hike in jeepney fares that may be followed by an increase in bus fares, as well. Further, even as we all know that road transportation in the country is a national disgrace, and congestion in Metro Manila a catastrophe, the issues never seem to leave the newspapers.
By some inspiration, we decided to look back at our BusinessMirror editorial on October 20, 2017. The title was “Jeepneys: Out with the old.” And that could be the same title today, one year later.
We accept the fact that replacing some 270,000 old jeepneys is not an easy task and must be done carefully and with caution. But who in their right mind would say that the current jeepney vehicles that ply our roads and highways are the best that we can do?
Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services Committee, was quoted on December 5, 2017, as saying on a local radio station, “Ibig sabihin, kahit kami sa gobyerno, hindi pa rin kami handa pagdating dito sa roll out ng ganito kalaking programa [This means that we in the government are not yet ready for the roll out of such a massive program].”
At the time, that was a sensible and realistic assessment of the jeepney phase out. But here we are one year later and the good senator is saying the government is still not ready for the phase out.
Two thoughts. If not now, when? And wasn’t the Senate through the Public Services Committee in fact working this past year to prod the government to get ready?
There are two ways to insure that positive change never happens. One is to simply ignore the problem. But that is difficult to do when it comes to Philippine transportation. The other way is to study the problem forever. We do not want to single out Senator Poe for any blame, but she has said repeatedly that she favors the phase-out if it is done properly. Our suggestion then is for her to marshal the resources necessary and get the job done and done now.
The private sector has stepped up, including our sister company Isuzu Gencars as well as Hyundai Motor, to provide the proper replacement vehicles. These “jeepneys” are more efficient, comfortable, and safe and should be on the road.
Allow us to quote from our editorial one year ago: “But to even consider upgrading this form of transportation is apparently ‘anti-poor.’ It seems that every effort and plan to modernize is anti-poor. We heard the same argument when dilapidated and broken old taxis were taken off the road. Maybe shopping malls and convenience stores are anti-poor since they compete with sari-sari stores. Certainly fast-food restaurants are anti-poor because they have probably put some carinderias out of business.”
“There are legitimate complaints against the proposed jeepney phase-out program that the government needs to address. Changes to the plan are necessary. However, many of the arguments raised to justify the recent transport strike are hollow. Let’s hear a better
alternative than ‘the government should own and operate transportation.’ That is truly anti-poor.”