Introduction/Rationale

Transportation issues in the Philippines is rampant. Jeepneys are one of the most popular
public transportation of the country and the cheapest among all vehicles. However, it was observed
that the awful traffic in the city of Manila coupled with its prehistoric Public Utility Vehicles
(Jeepney) have been said to be the cause of suffering, in terms of safety environment and health,
for all commuters. On June 19, 2017, the Department of Transportation issued Department Order
No. 2017-011 or the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), a program of the
Duterte administration which visualize a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally
sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified
livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.

Jeepney modernization was proposed by the government to promote development in the

transportation sector of the country. However, this project resulted into Jeepney strike, wherein
Jeepney drivers and operators lead the protest because of the upcoming effect of the transition.
Moreover, recently last September, Transport groups. spearheaded by ACTO, Pinagkaisang
Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), and Stop and Go, held a strike to
protest jeepney phaseout in response to the on-going proposal and planning of the jeepney
modernization.

Treatment/ Approach

Jeepney Modernization can be a tool for countries development if it was assessed and
implemented gradually. The government will have to release a great amount of money to
implement the project and will cause many drivers to lose their part because that they cannot afford
the new jeeps. The question in hand is that how would the Jeepney Modernization solve the
country’s issue in transportation?

The government will be needing a lot of budget for the project and the drivers and operators
will be put into burden because they cannot afford it thus they have to get a loan, in order for them
to get a modernize jeepney that cost millions. Making it one of the main problems in the
implementation of the Jeepney modernization.
 The proponents of this paper aims to look into both the advantages and disadvantages of
Jeepney Modernization and what will be the cause and effect of the implementation and who will
be the most affected by of it.

Expected Outcome

The analysis on Jeepney Modernization aims to provide awareness of the pros and cons of
the proposal and if there would be any other effective type of solution to outweigh any problems
by providing feasible solutions. It also looks into the other problems that may result in the
transition and unravels those who are affected in the program.

It aims to really know the “Why” in the need for the implementation and the “How” that
would make it really effective the current status of transportation and development in the country.

The main goal is to make a stand on the issue of Jeepney Modernization if it will help or it
should be a priority of the country’s resolution to the societal problems alike.

Key Points

The transportation modernization project has advantages and disadvantage. The advantage
of it is, it will be a more convenient and safer rides. It can also contribute to the development and
growth of the country.

Further, a safer and more comfortable transportation system is the highlight of this
modernization program. The new vehicles that are showcased by the government promise to be
more spacious and offer a bunch of features that uphold safety and security. The doors of some of
these new jeeps will be on the side of the vehicle instead of the back, and they will have a longer
frame. Some units are air-conditioned to provide a more comfortable option and these modern
jeepneys are also PWD friendly.

Aside from the essentials, these e-jeeps also come with GPS navigation system, a CCTV
camera, dashboard camera, and even a Wi-Fi connection.
 In this way the commuters feel more comfortable and safe while traveling despite of the
heavy traffic. These may just be the icing on the cake, but they can make a world of difference in
improving the quality of commuting for passengers.

But, the disadvantage of it, is the fare of the modern jeepney will increase and it will also
the original look of the jeepney. Which has been part of the culture of being a filipino of having
unique style of transportation vehicle.

While it cannot be denied that the modernization of public transport will gravely affect
individual and small-time jeepney operators and owners, it will pave the way to the car
manufacturing industry in the Philippines that will create more jobs. One of the example of this is
the driver became a regular driver that will have an fixed income of 800 pesos a day.

If the government continues to ignore the plight of the drivers and small operators, the
possibility of having numerous nationwide strike which will cause the hindrance for certain
reasons. Major transport groups are organizing strikes as part of a protest against the government's
Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program. Participants in the strike include transport
group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) as well as
Jeepney group Stop and Go Coalition and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization
(ACTO) among others individual operators.

The subsidy and loan programs are ineffective. Senator Nancy Binay inquired about the
monthly payment of jeepney drivers if they were to avail themselves of modernized units. DOTr
Undersecretary Mark de Leon said the cheapest unit would be available for P900,000, with P500
amortization rate per day. Bigger units would charge P1,000 amortization rate per day.Operators
and drivers are required to be part of a cooperative, which can then apply for loans to finance the
acquisition of the modernized units.

The recent transportation strike will not be a hindrance in the implementation of this
project. They will push it no matter what and the LTFRB already threatens the jeepney drivers and
operators that they will suspend and cancel their franchise if they join in any transportation strike.

In the news, the president of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Mr.
De Luna said that the program will not help them at all, rather it will kill them; "Ang isyu natin ay
PUV modernization na puro panlilinlang. One hundred percent na lehitimong asosasyon ay
nangagarap ipagpatuloy ang kanilang buhay, dito po papatayin kami," De Luna. He also raised an
issue questioning the government’s inability to finance the program; "Paano kami magkakaroon
ng pagkakataon na makautang sa gobyerno, eh wala namang ipapatuang ang gobyerno. Ang DOTr
[Department of Transportation] at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board] wala silang direktang maipapautang para ipambili namin ng bagong sasakyan," he said.
Mr. De Luna also said that they are not against the program but what they are protesting is the
requirements set by the government, that will lead nowhere to phaseout of small drivers or
operator. Moreover, commuters were also affected during the transport strikes because several
jeepney groups had stopped their operation.

Analysis

Conclusion

Modernization and development are about roadworthy, safety and reliability. The basis for
the jeepney modernization project is good but the problem is, it requires a lot of money, a million
pesos. The financial requirements of the project will be difficult to achieve by majority of the
jeepney drivers and operators because it cost millions.

The project of the government, jeepney modernization lacks transparency on who will
really benefit the project is it for all the people, the commuters or the government only.

Jeepney modernization does not benefit the majority of the people, it is only for the
convenience of some. The project of jeepney modernization will not only phase out the old
jeepneys but the drivers and operators will also lose their job. The job that they been doing for
years. It will also affect hundreds of people in commuting public. Jeepneys are not the main cause
of traffic jam, because even though there are only some jeeps on the roads, the traffic jam was still
terrible.
 The transport modernization system will only paralyze the economy, if it will be
implemented without thourouhly assessing what will be the outcome of the project.

Jeepney Modernization does not guarantee that it will solve the transporation crisis.