Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) — The government has yet to set a definite deadline for modernizing passenger jeepneys in the country as authorities are still studying an updated timetable to ensure a “just transition.”
The only clear deadline so far is that of the consolidation of jeepney franchises on Dec. 31, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said on CNN Philippines’ special “Pangulong Marcos: Unang Taon.First issued in 2017 and planned for implementation in 2020, the modernization project has been postponed several times due to transport strikes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and several reviews.
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Batan explained that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is assessing how the program will fairly convert traditional jeepneys into modern ones.
Nevertheless, he said the purpose of the modernization program remains the same — address the safety, environmental, and passenger convenience concerns.
According to recent government data, 98,801 of the 150,000 jeepneys and 72% of the 19,000 UV Express units targeted for modernization have already been consolidated, while 6,814 contemporary jeepneys are on the road.
Alam nating kailangan natin i-consider ang kapasidad ng ating current jeepney drivers, operators, transport cooperatives, kaya hindi bigla-biglaan magmomodernize,” he said.[Translation: We know that we need to consider the capacity of our current jeepney drivers, operators, transport cooperatives, so we should not rush the modernization.]
“Ayon rin sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos, na tingnan natin na para masiguro na itong transition mula sa ating traditional to modernized jeepneys ay isang just transition,” the DOTr official added.
[Translation: President Marcos also directed us to ensure that this transition from our traditional to modernized jeepneys is a just transition.]
