Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — Authorities on Monday assured jeepney drivers that the feared phaseout of traditional jeepneys will not happen yet.
“There would still be a phaseout, but this would happen two or three years from now,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Prior to the planned three-day strike that will start on July 24, Manibela held a protest in March against the phaseout of traditional jeepneys and the mandatory consolidation of franchises, which are part of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Guadiz said based on at least 40 consultations conducted by government, the general concern of the transportation sector is the jeepney phaseout.
However, he said he already assured jeepney drivers that they can continue plying their routes if their vehicles are found to be roadworthy, or if they pass the basic tests of the Land Transportation Office.
For those who will be displaced once the fleet modernization starts, Guadiz said the government has a social support program ready for them.
For now, the LTFRB wants to focus on completing industry consolidation.
Guadiz said that as of June 30, over 63% or 100,349 of more than 158,000 jeepney units have been consolidated.
Meanwhile, over 72% or 14,484 of more than 19,000 UV Express units have complied with the program.
