Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — Traditional jeepneys with the iconic Filipino design may still be used as long as they comply with the standards issued by the government, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Wednesday.
“Yung iconic jeepney natin, hindi naman sinabi na hindi ho pwede yun. Basta as long as yung ating mga iconic jeep ay maka-comply doon sa parameters or requirements ng Philippine National Standards na inilabas ng DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: Our iconic jeepney, we did not say that is not allowed anymore. As long as our iconic jeep can comply with the parameters or requirements of the Philippine National Standards issued by the DTI.]
For two days, transport groups conducted a nationwide strike to protest the implementation of the government’s public utility modernization program.
Among the issues they raised was the replacement of the traditional jeepney units with modernized ones that look like mini buses.
They also noted the hefty price of the modernized jeepney, which costs over ₱2 million per unit.
Bolano said through the modernization program, old units will be upgraded to ensure safety, comfort, and security of passengers.
“I-a-upgrade po natin yung ating mga current unit ng mga jeepney pero hindi ibig sabihin ipe-phase out ang jeepney at tatanggalin sa kalsada, hindi po. Imo-modernize lang po,” he added.
[Translation: We will upgrade the current units of jeepney but that does not mean we will phase out them from the roads. We will only modernize.]
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