Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) — The government is still looking for more local vehicle manufacturers that can supply modern jeepney units to cooperatives under the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Transportation Cooperatives (DOTr-OTC) said additional accredited local manufacturers would also give cooperatives more options for eco-friendly alternatives to PUVs.
\”Ang direksyon ng ating administration, the DOTr family is to look for more local manufacturers na magkakaroon sila ng pagkakataon na magkaron ng negosyo para matulungan ang ating mga jeepney drivers through cooperatives and corporations,\” said DOTr-OTC chairperson Andy Ortega in a press briefing Thursday.
[Translation: The direction of the administration and the DOTr family is to look for more local manufacturers to help their businesses as well as the jeepney drivers through cooperatives and corporations.]
\”At lalong magkaroon ng option ang ating mga kooperatiba at korporasyon to have yung inaasamasam natin na mga iconic design po ng mga jeepney,\” he added.
[Translation: The cooperatives and corporations will also have options if they want the iconic design of jeepneys.]
The Department of Trade and Industry has a list of approved manufacturers that adhere to the Philippine National Standard, but the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said it is up to the cooperatives on whether they will acquire units locally or from abroad.
The PUV modernization program started in 2017 and aims to improve and make the transport sector more environmentally sustainable.
Citing a testimony by a modern jeepney cooperative, the DOTr-OTC said that modern PUV cooperatives can earn up to ₱8,000 per unit a day.
\”The amount was enough for all the expenses, amortizations, salaries, and other expenses para dun sa kanilang kooperatiba (for their cooperative),\” said Ortega.
But operators fear they could fall into debt as a unit of modern jeepney costs more than ₱2 million.
