DAVAO CITY —Urban drivers would hate hearing this – transport modernization. Many drivers especially those included in its first phase are not happy over the announcement that the high priority bus system is now operating.
The old school of thought would easily say that this would mean displacement of thousands of public utility jeepney drivers and joblessness. But for Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Martin Delgra, this project is long overdue as the much awaited development by urban commuters.
Delgra said the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) was launched in 2017, with the goal of making the country’s public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020.
The program calls for the phasing-out jeepneys, buses and other Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with safer, more comfortable and more environmentally-friendly alternatives over the next three years. Currently, there are 220,000 jeepney units operating all over the country.
Delgra explained that replacement vehicles are required to have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine or an electric engine to lessen pollution. Some proposed requirements include CCTV cameras, Panta Transportation Payment Terminal, speed limiters and GPS monitors.
Transport groups claim the modernization is anti-poor as it kills the poor drivers and their families.
The transport groups like Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization. Organizations like Gabriela, Anakbayan, and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, among others, have protested the multi-billion project.
The PUV modernization program, which will phase out jeepneys that are at least 15 years old and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles that can run on renewable energy, is set to be implemented in 2020.
The Transport modernization is among the flagship projects of President Rodrigo Duterte which involve sea, air and land program. All aimed at providing convenience to the public. In Mindanao, one can see fleet of taxi operating along the streets of Zamboanga City while a cooperative group operates the fleet of taxi in Caraga regions, specifically at the airport of Butuan City.
Last Tuesday, the bus-type jeepney started to operate in General Santos City with the support of the local government and the road stakeholders. This is over and above the long been operating public buses plying the Commercial Districts of Davao City.
The GenSan group is set to operate an initial 15 units of “modern jeepneys” in major routes in compliance with the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Robert Cang, president of the Public Transport Alliance of GenSan (PTAG), said they are currently waiting for the issuance of a provisional authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to operate the new units.
Davao, being the center of Mindanao will pioneer the hybrid priority bus system dubbed as Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), with three pilot areas, such as Toril, Catalunan Grande and Calinan.
On November 29, the P18.6 billion HPBS of Davao was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Davao HPBS budget will allow the city government to buy low-floor buses which are spacious, PWD friendly and above all, air-conditioned, that will provide comfort to the riding public.
The DPTP and the HPBS are expected to be implemented from 2020 to 2023.
Delgra said PUJs aging 15 years and above will no longer be allowed to ply the streets. This also means they will be totally out by June 30, 2020.
Wenceslao Nuñez, board member of the Catalunan Grande Transport Cooperative (CATRANSCO) in an interview with Newsline said “The transport modernization will affect us, but we see it as a development for everyone. We are not in a positive to defy change because it is for the people and we support all the programs of the President and the Mayor”.
The 64 units which the cooperative owns will all be rendered closed, affecting 80 drivers. Danilo Crayon a jeepney operator said, they were informed that each unit will be paid P150,000 while the drivers will be given P85,000. Crayon, however said, there is no final amount yet, however, he also said he will use the money to start a business.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has re-assured jeepney drivers and operators the inclusion of social compensation packages for them when the transport sector shifts to the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
Delgra said the transport modernization is a reality that everyone should be ready to embrace. There is an opportunity for everyone which government does not aim to dislocate or take away their livelihood, however, they can apply as drivers to the buses which will serve their routes.
As it is now, transport operators and drivers just have to be ready because modernization is now a reality and jeepney operations will soon become a thing of the past.
