Digging Deeper on the PUV Modernization Program
by Ivanah Tomo | 01 November 2017
Last October 16 and 17, 2017, PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tyuper at Operator Nationwide), a group of Jeepney drivers and operators were seen in the streets not driving their jeepneys but mobilizing to show their strong objection against PUV modernization. This nationwide transport strike forced the government to cancel classes and government work for two straight days.
What is PUV Modernization Program?
PUV modernization is a program of the Department of Transportation that aims to improve the public transport system in the country. This program will cover not only jeepneys but also buses and other public vehicles. DOTr said that the current “unsafe and uncomfortable” transport system should be fixed.
The solution presented by DOTr is to replace the public vehicles aging from 15 years and above by “low-carbon and low-emission” vehicles. This intends to affect around 70,000 public vehicles including the small-time operator and drivers in the Metro and some 270,000 nationwide.
The new proposed designed of the jeepney is approved by the DTI and DOTr. The engine will be Euro 4 that will release lesser smoke unlike the Euro 2 that most of the jeepneys are using now. The new design will also be having CCTVs, GPS, and automated fare collection or beep card.
Why Modernize?
Despite the strong opposition on phasing out one of the symbolisms of the Filipino culture, it can’t also be denied that jeepneys have also been a symbolism of deteriorating and inefficient mass transport system. DOTr claimed that diesel-run jeepneys, together with buses and trucks, are responsible for the 70% of the carbon dioxide emission. This air pollution costs the country $1.5 billion a year.
According to World Bank, this air pollution costs the country $400 million for the healthcare in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio. The same study also shows that approximately 5,000 deaths annually in Metro Manila due to respiratory and cardiovascular problem; this is the highest among all cities in the country. Also according to the survey conducted in 2001, more than 72% of the Manila residents are alarmed by the air pollution; while 73 % said that they are not aware that the government is doing something to fix it. The Clean Air Act of 1999 aims for a comprehensive control of air pollution but the government had been having a hard time controlling it due to the chain of people and agencies that are involved.
How much will it cost to modernize?
According to the Department of Finance, PUV modernization will cost Php 417.3 Billion for the next five years. Php 400 Billion of it will be allotted for the lending scheme of the said program. Regarding who will shoulder the payment, the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines can offer a loan for the drivers and operators up to 95 percent payable for the next seven years with the interest of 6%-8% per annum while the government will cover up to 10% of the cost. Each jeepney will cost Php1.4-1.6 million to modernize; meaning each driver will have to shoulder an amount reaching Php 1.3-1.5 million.
How the jeepney drivers see the modernization program
PISTON and Stop and Go coalition emphasized that they support modernization but not in this manner. They called the program “anti-poor” as small time drivers and operators cannot afford to comply with the costs of the said modernization. Their current income from driving is only enough to support their daily expenses like food and other basic commodities and they cannot afford to have another debt caused by this program. They insisted that this will only benefit the big companies that will provide the services in compliant with their modernization scheme.
They warned that commuters will also be burdened by the cost as higher fare is expected from the Php8 minimum fare to Php 12-20 minimum fare after the implementation.
Drivers complained that Php 800 daily boundary is too high for them and might leave them with little to no income. They insisted that instead of jeepney phase out, the government should give other alternatives that would help the poor drivers improve their services through inexpensive technology.
On serving for the best interest
According to the study conducted by the Asian Development Bank, the poor performance in the transport sector of the country has reinforced the perception that the Philippines is not a good country to invest in due to loss of economic opportunities, increased pollution, and decreased productivity caused by the poor transport system. They also pointed out that the urban traffic planning and traffic management are insufficient and ineffective. In the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, the country ranked 87th out of 144 for the quality of roads, 94th in the rail road, 112 for airports, and 120th for port infrastructures.
Given that this is a multi-billion project, it is important that sentiments of all involved parties must not only be heard but be given importance. The problem in transport system is long overdue; billions are lost every day, but this challenge doesn’t just focus mainly on the jeepney transport system but is also chained to the incapability of the government to plan and manage the whole transport system properly. It is important that the government should exhibit a clean plan where there is transparency and the welfare of the people is given the most importance.
SOURCES:
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/27/1742854/why-some-transport-groups-oppose-jeepney-phaseout
http://cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2017/06/20/Jeepney-modernization-program-kicks-off-next-month.html
http://www.manilatimes.net/transport-group-holds-strike-vs-jeepney-modernization-program/352681/
http://www.agham.org/press-releases/mass-transport-and-jeepney-modernization-program
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/185691-piston-puv-modernization-program-jeepney
https://www.rappler.com/nation/173888-puv-modernization-program-anti-poor
The Philippine Environment Monitor 2000 (World Bank)
Philippines: Transport Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map (Asian Development Bank)
What is PUV Modernization Program?
PUV modernization is a program of the Department of Transportation that aims to improve the public transport system in the country. This program will cover not only jeepneys but also buses and other public vehicles. DOTr said that the current “unsafe and uncomfortable” transport system should be fixed.
The solution presented by DOTr is to replace the public vehicles aging from 15 years and above by “low-carbon and low-emission” vehicles. This intends to affect around 70,000 public vehicles including the small-time operator and drivers in the Metro and some 270,000 nationwide.
The new proposed designed of the jeepney is approved by the DTI and DOTr. The engine will be Euro 4 that will release lesser smoke unlike the Euro 2 that most of the jeepneys are using now. The new design will also be having CCTVs, GPS, and automated fare collection or beep card.
Why Modernize?
Despite the strong opposition on phasing out one of the symbolisms of the Filipino culture, it can’t also be denied that jeepneys have also been a symbolism of deteriorating and inefficient mass transport system. DOTr claimed that diesel-run jeepneys, together with buses and trucks, are responsible for the 70% of the carbon dioxide emission. This air pollution costs the country $1.5 billion a year.
According to World Bank, this air pollution costs the country $400 million for the healthcare in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio. The same study also shows that approximately 5,000 deaths annually in Metro Manila due to respiratory and cardiovascular problem; this is the highest among all cities in the country. Also according to the survey conducted in 2001, more than 72% of the Manila residents are alarmed by the air pollution; while 73 % said that they are not aware that the government is doing something to fix it. The Clean Air Act of 1999 aims for a comprehensive control of air pollution but the government had been having a hard time controlling it due to the chain of people and agencies that are involved.
How much will it cost to modernize?
According to the Department of Finance, PUV modernization will cost Php 417.3 Billion for the next five years. Php 400 Billion of it will be allotted for the lending scheme of the said program. Regarding who will shoulder the payment, the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines can offer a loan for the drivers and operators up to 95 percent payable for the next seven years with the interest of 6%-8% per annum while the government will cover up to 10% of the cost. Each jeepney will cost Php1.4-1.6 million to modernize; meaning each driver will have to shoulder an amount reaching Php 1.3-1.5 million.
How the jeepney drivers see the modernization program
PISTON and Stop and Go coalition emphasized that they support modernization but not in this manner. They called the program “anti-poor” as small time drivers and operators cannot afford to comply with the costs of the said modernization. Their current income from driving is only enough to support their daily expenses like food and other basic commodities and they cannot afford to have another debt caused by this program. They insisted that this will only benefit the big companies that will provide the services in compliant with their modernization scheme.
They warned that commuters will also be burdened by the cost as higher fare is expected from the Php8 minimum fare to Php 12-20 minimum fare after the implementation.
Drivers complained that Php 800 daily boundary is too high for them and might leave them with little to no income. They insisted that instead of jeepney phase out, the government should give other alternatives that would help the poor drivers improve their services through inexpensive technology.
On serving for the best interest
According to the study conducted by the Asian Development Bank, the poor performance in the transport sector of the country has reinforced the perception that the Philippines is not a good country to invest in due to loss of economic opportunities, increased pollution, and decreased productivity caused by the poor transport system. They also pointed out that the urban traffic planning and traffic management are insufficient and ineffective. In the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, the country ranked 87th out of 144 for the quality of roads, 94th in the rail road, 112 for airports, and 120th for port infrastructures.
Given that this is a multi-billion project, it is important that sentiments of all involved parties must not only be heard but be given importance. The problem in transport system is long overdue; billions are lost every day, but this challenge doesn’t just focus mainly on the jeepney transport system but is also chained to the incapability of the government to plan and manage the whole transport system properly. It is important that the government should exhibit a clean plan where there is transparency and the welfare of the people is given the most importance.
SOURCES:
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/27/1742854/why-some-transport-groups-oppose-jeepney-phaseout
http://cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2017/06/20/Jeepney-modernization-program-kicks-off-next-month.html
http://www.manilatimes.net/transport-group-holds-strike-vs-jeepney-modernization-program/352681/
http://www.agham.org/press-releases/mass-transport-and-jeepney-modernization-program
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/185691-piston-puv-modernization-program-jeepney
https://www.rappler.com/nation/173888-puv-modernization-program-anti-poor
The Philippine Environment Monitor 2000 (World Bank)
Philippines: Transport Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map (Asian Development Bank)
