Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — Transport groups are pushing to strengthen the country’s vehicle industry in order to manufacture quality jeepneys, but less expensive than the government’s preferred units.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said the government must extend assistance to local manufacturers since the vehicles would be mass-produced.
“Kailangan ng mas maraming manufacturers para competitive sa market yung kukuhanin na sasakyan,” Valbuena said, when asked if they have the capacity to convert jeepneys with the required specifications.
[Translation: More manufacturers are needed for the car market to be competitive.]
Valbuena said ₱500,000 might be enough to rehabilitate or update a jeepney.
“Kalahating milyon, maayos at maganda at makakasabay sa mga sinasabi nating modern (units),” he said.
[Translation: Half a million for decent models which can be at par with what we call modern units.]
Transport groups recently held a two-day strike to express their disapproval of the planned public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, with modern jeepneys costing up to ₱2.8 million by government estimates.
“Dapat hindi nadadamay ang kabuhayan ng mga drivers pati ang mga local na gumagawa ng traditional jeepneys sa bansa,” Piston president Mody Floranda said in a separate briefing.
[Translation: The livelihood of the drivers as well as the locals who make traditional jeepneys in the country should not be affected.]
