Senator Bong Go commended the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for listening to the pleas of ordinary Filipinos by deciding to postpone its planned phase out of traditional jeepneys from June 30 to December 31 of this year.
“Alinsunod po sa advice ni (Department of Transportation Secretary) Jaime Bautista at alinsunod sa pahayag ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, in-extend po namin ‘yung consolidation po ng mga modern jeepneys from June 30 to the end of December 2023. Ito po ay bilang pagtugon sa kahilingan po ng transport sector,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III announced recently.
It can be recalled that senators including Go, appealed to LTRFB through Senate Resolution No. 507, to help drivers adapt to the alterations mandated by the new policy by delaying the jeepney phase-out deadline pending the resolution of all issues.
The resolution was principally authored and sponsored by Senator Grace Poe who is chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and was adopted by the Senate.
It states that the LTFRB must first address the legitimate and pressing issues raised by the affected drivers and operators regarding the program’s financial feasibility.
“Maraming salamat sa LTFRB sa inyong pakikinig sa hinaing ng ordinaryong Pilipino lalo na ng ating mga drivers at mga commuters. Maraming salamat na binigyan ninyo ng pansin at agarang aksyon ito dahil alam natin kung gaano kadaming Pilipino na nagsusumikap pang makabangon mula sa hirap na dulot ng pandemya ang maaapektuhan nito,” Go said.
The legislator then clarified that he is not totally against the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, especially considering its long-term benefits for the country.
“Wala pong dapat maiiwan at maagrabyado.”
Nonetheless the lawmaker stressed, “Karamihan po sa mga drivers ay may binubuhay po at pinapakain…. Wala pong dapat maiiwan at maagrabyado.”
“While we understand the need to evolve given newer challenges of the environment, climate change and the economy, let us not transfer the burden to the poor who need our help,” the senator emphasized.
“Palagi nating unahin muna ang kapakanan at interes ng mga mahihirap,” he added.
Go pointed out that while the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program was advocated by the previous administration to ensure the safety of Filipinos and road worthiness of PUVs, there is now a need to give more leeway to affected sectors since the country is still recovering from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa pagbabagong idudulot ng modernization na ito, (drivers and) commuters will also have to adjust their budgets to afford new means of transportation,” Go cited.
He also acknowledged the necessity of modernization for passenger safety, but he highlighted that most drivers may not possess the financial capability to adapt to new vehicles at this time.
“Importante din po ang safety ng pasahero sa usapan dito ngunit ‘wag natin pabayaan ang mga ordinaryong jeepney drivers na wala po silang matakbuhan o walang pambili ng bagong pampublikong sasakyan,” said Go.
“Lalo na ngayon, ‘di pa tayo tapos sa krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. ‘Wag po nating papabayaan ang ating mga jeepney drivers na karamihan po ay mahihirap,” he added.
Go also said that it is important for government to listen to the concerns of affected sectors and acknowledge the difficulties they are experiencing especially during a time when the country is still reeling from the COVID-19 crisis.
“Bigyan muna natin sila ng palugit para makapaghanda pa lalo.”
“Bigyan muna natin sila ng palugit para makapaghanda pa lalo at gamitin rin natin ang pagkakataong ito na ayusin ang mga patakaran, proseso at polisiya para hindi maging pabigat sa ating ordinaryong mga mamamayan,” he added.
Go also emphasized the importance of jeepneys in the daily commute of Filipinos, stating that they have become part of the Philippine culture and a symbol of the country.
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Bautista mentioned that the implementation of the modernization program will only be in qualified areas, saying, “The phase-out will happen in areas where we have almost completed the jeepney modernization program.”
The government has also stated that no phase out will happen yet in areas where new units still cannot realistically operate.
