Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) – The modernization program will “upgrade” and “rehabilitate” jeepneys instead of phasing them out, the regulator said, as a transport group kicked off its protest action by leaving commuters on the streets.
“It is not more of a ‘phaseout’ but more of an ‘upgrading’ of the jeepneys,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a press conference Monday.
“We are merely rehabilitating the jeepneys and the possibility of a phaseout is very remote,” he added.
Guadiz said the LTFRB planned to retain the look of traditional jeepneys, but subject to modifications to conform to Philippine National Standards (PNS).
He said the proposed modern jeepney that passed the PNS costs around ₱1.3 million, cheaper than the pegged ₱2.4 to ₱2.6 million during the past years.
Meanwhile, in response to the plea of various transport groups, LTFRB previously moved the deadline for the consolidated jeepney franchises from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
READ: LTFRB extends jeepney franchise consolidation until Dec. 31
“‘Yung ibang deadlines din para sa completion ng modernization ay i-uurong din namin lahat. Effectively, mga 2024 bago makumpleto ‘yung first phase ng program na ito,” Guadiz said.
[Translation: The other deadlines for the completion of modernization will also be moved. Effectively, it will be around 2024 before the first phase of this program is completed.]
But despite the deadline extension, LTFRB remained firm that the PUV modernization program will push through.
“What we can is probably to prolong the enforcement of this modernization program para walang maiwanan. [Translation: so that no one is left behind],” he said.
The LTFRB added that the government subsidy of ₱260,000 for traditional jeepney drivers and operators was readily available.
