Replacing jeepneys a must after 3-year

transition period – Tugade

(UPDATED) Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade says public utility vehicles that pass the

motor vehicle inspection system still have to be replaced so they will be Euro 4- or Euro 5

-compliant

Aika Rey

Published: 4:05 PM December 11, 2017

Updated: 11:23 AM December 12, 2017

MODERNIZATION. The Senate committee on public services holds a hearing on the PUV m
odernization program on December 11, 2017. Photo by Aika Rey/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said all public utili

ty vehicles (PUVs) would eventually be required to "modernize" after a 3-year transition peri

od.

On Monday, December 11, Tugade appeared before the Senate committee on public service

s, which held a hearing on the PUV modernization program.

Tugade explained that all PUVs will have to pass the motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS

), which will be rolled out by January. PUVs that pass the roadworthiness test under the M

VIS will be allowed on the road.

However, Tugade clarified that even after passing this test, jeepney operators and drivers wi

ll still have to "modernize" or replace their jeepneys after 3 years.

After the 3-year transition period, PUVs running with non-Euro 4-compliant engines will no

longer be allowed on the road. (READ: Is the PUV modernization program 'anti-poor?')
"Meron pong standards ha. 'Yung pintuan po hindi sa likod, sa tagiliran. 'Yung capacity ho

seated at saka may standing. Meron po Euro 4 or Euro 5 [engines],"Tugade added.

(We have standards. The door of the vehicle should not be at the back but on the side. T

here should be both seating and standing capacity. The engine should be Euro 4- or Euro

5-compliant.)

Tugade said 26 mobile MVIS units will arrive before Christmas to kick-start the inspection. (

READ: Orbos: Phasing out of 'deteriorated' PUVs to start January)

'Too expensive'

Transport groups reiterated their earlier position that they are not against modernization bu

t highlighted that the new models prescribed by the government are still too expensive for

them.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) leader George San

Mateo said small-time operators would struggle with the costs of a new jeepney.

"The P80,000 subsidy which would be provided by the government is too small. Drivers an

d operators will still have to pay interest to banks," San Mateo said in a mix of English an

d Filipino.

"The government subsidy should not be less than 50% of the total cost and should be cha

rged 0% interest by the banks," San Mateo said in response to Senator Grace Poe's questio

n on what would be reasonable costs.

The PUV modernization program aims to replace PUVs running for 15 years or more with n

ew vehicles that have safety features. The goal is to promote safer and environment-friendl

y transport options to the commuting public.

Operators who cannot finance the cost of a new jeepney can apply for loans provided by t

he Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, said the De
partment of Transportation. (READ: PUV modernization: Planning, readiness issues raised at

House hearing)

But the DOTr gave assurances that the jeepney phaseout will not immediately happen next

year. Poe noted that only P2.2 billion has been allocated in the 2018 national budget, whic

h would only cover 28,000 out of the 180,000 jeepney units estimated by the government.

Consultations

The DOTr promised that there would be consultations with the transport groups every two

months starting February next year.

According to Tugade, he met with some of the groups last Friday, December 8, and they a

rrived at that compromise so the sector's concerns could be regularly heard.

INSPECTION. Senator Grace Poe and Miss Lalaine Guanson of the Wheelchair Friendly Soluti
on, Inc. answer questions to journalists while sitting inside an electric jeepney. Photo by An
gie de Silva/Rappler

Echoing Tugade, Transportation Undersecretary Thomas Orbos said the modernization plan

will not "transform the sector overnight." Hence, consultations will still continue during the 3

-year transition period to refine the program.

For her part, Poe said the Senate committee on public services will be on the lookout for f

uture developments.

"We will hold everyone accountable to their commitments expressed today – not only DOTr

, LTFRB, and other implementing agencies but also the driver-operators. Don't stage transpo

rt strikes yet. Let's iron out the details," she said.

Piston called off its nationwide transport strike set for December 4 to 5 after Poe invited th

em to sit down with the committee to discuss their concerns.

But questions remain on the PUV modernization program. The DOTr has yet to finalize the

route rationalization study, the costs of the new units and financing terms, as well as the r

equirements for consolidation into transport cooperatives. – Rappler.com

RECOMMENDED STORIES

ABOUT RAPPLER

Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitall

y fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (t

o make waves).

Read more

Rappler's Founding Board

Rappler's 2017-2018 Board

Rappler Team

Rappler Indonesia Team

Job Openings

Archives

Privacy statement

Terms of Use

Comment moderation Policy

Advertise With Us

Contact Us

Jeepney
Isko
LTFRB
Tugade
Marina,
New
Boracay
Free Moreno
LRT
law
urges
Coast
wants
boat
drivers
gives
2, MRT,
ACTO
open
coop
Guard
Sangley
20%
protest
PNR
to
to
braces
discount
wrap
Duterte
cancel
Airport
rides
PUVfor
upmodernization
for
to
July
emergency
probe
modernization
construction
students
15 into
transport
on
starting
powers
Recto
done
anew
air,strike
Bank
land,
by
July
for September
traffic
incident
1sea transport
2019 services
NEXT STORY >