Senator Grace Poe yesterday recommended that the government should conduct a pilot test of the planned jeepney modernization in the light of sketchy details and purported lack of consultations with transport groups.
“I want to have pilot projects. They should be in various areas. If compliance within the safety, roadworthiness at saka emissions, this can be addressed first and then the others like side door accessibility, and persons with disabilities,” Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, told reporters on the sidelines of the hearing on the jeepney modernization program.
Transport groups present during the hearing were one in backing the proposed modernization, but they lamented that there seemed to be lack of consultations, particularly on the issuance of Department Order No. 2017-011 or the omnibus franchise guidelines issued last June.
The 23-passenger capacity ‘modern jeepney’ with a CCTV monitor and a Euro 4 engine that does not emit smoke is examined during the Senate hearing on jeepney modernization on Monday. Norman Cruz
She said the said policy contained a set of standards for franchise issuance such as door location on the curbside door and not the rear door for boarding and alighting, access for persons with disability, and that jeepneys must be below seven meters in length.
She said jeepneys must also be able to pass the emission standards. He said that those still functioning should be allowed to run.
“For sure, many should be replaced. There should be prototypes and they should also clarified who are going to be the suppliers,” added Poe.
“Secondly, if we are to get accredited companies, make sure there’s no “kumpare system.”
“But will jeepney drivers and operators afford millions in loans for new jeepneys as part of the government’s modernization program for public utility vehicles?” asked Poe.
Poe raised this question as the planned jeepney modernization plan is set to initially roll out next year, with the government subsidizing P80,000 of the P1.5 to P1.8 million estimated cost of a new jeepney.
“Kaya ba ng bulsa—hindi lang ng mga drayber/operator kung ‘di pati na rin ng mga mananakay? Kaya ba ng ating mga jeepney drayber at operator na bayaran sa loob ng itinakdang panahon ang utang para sa bagong mga jeep? May kasiguraduhan ba na papautangin sila ng bangko?” Poe said as she quizzed Transportation officials during the public hearing on the proposed jeepney modernization plan.
Poe appealed to transport officials to reconsider the “high unit cost and burdensome financing terms” to be extended to jeepney driver-operators.
“Come to think of it, if government is subsidizing trains run by rich companies to the tune of billions, then why should it allow jeepney drivers and operators to foot the bill for new units almost all by themselves?” said Poe.
Poe also said that if the government can provide a flurry of incentives to the private sector under the scheme, then all the more it is well within its means to provide more funding support to jeepney driver-operators.
“If PPP grantees are given incentives, in amounts with dizzying number of zeros, and are hailed as patriots, then why are jeepney drivers who are asking for a little more help treated as pests?” the senator said.