The week-long transport strike scheduled for this week has come to an end after two days. Now, the LTFRB wants to clear the air and delve into deeper talks and negotiations with jeepney operators and drivers to come to a “beneficial” agreement on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, or the PUVMP.
LTFRB will look into roadworthiness of traditional jeepneys and “traditional looking” modern jeepneys
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board expressed their relief that the strike planned by various transport groups has come to an end, short of the one week that they have been preparing for. A number of government agencies and media outfits have declared that the strike did not have the “desired effect” and that transportation was not paralyzed as was seemingly hoped for. But now that that’s in the past, better talks may begin.
PBBM has asked that perhaps the LTFRB can look into the roadworthiness of traditional jeepneys that are still plying our roads. While this is a factor that the agency is considering, agency chairman Teofilo Guadiz III reiterated that all PUVs must pass Philippine National Standards as stated under the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry, regardless of its “look”.
Photo: Winonalyn Corcuera
In the past few days, a slew of renders and actual units of traditional-looking, modern jeepney units have made their way to the internet, the media’s, and the government’s attention. These options look very promising, to say the least. “The modernized jeep that you saw is clear proof that the traditional look can be maintained so the possibility of a phase out is very, very remote. What we only wanted was to improve the roadworthiness of the vehicle,” Guadiz said in response to the forwarded “options”.
The photos you see above are from the Association Committed Transport Organization Nationwide Cooperation (ACTONA) and HaruROOT. An actual unit has been put on display by ACTONA and renders of interior modifications that can be applied to traditional jeepneys have made their rounds on the web and the news.
Given these, perhaps now there’s a bit of a clearer path for the LTFRB and the operators and drivers to establish common ground on the PUVMP and all its provisions. And sincerely, we hope that they do.
