“Look at what is going on, a few days before Christmas and we are grappling with a transport strike”
Sometimes, I really wonder whether the DOTr understands what it is doing.
The social media report saying the DOTr is willing to study or consider the rehabilitation of the traditional jeepneys to be part of the public transport modernization program has left me shaking my head.
Perhaps the DOTr said that just to placate the striking jeepney associations.
But that is exactly the kind of action that keeps the problem going.
In the first place, what does the DOTr mean by rehabilitation?
For the information of the DOTr, these jeepneys were assembled using 20-year-old imported diesel engines.
This is the reason why studies have shown one of the major culprits of air pollution in the Metro area is the diesel fumes from the thousands of traditional jeepneys plying the streets of the National Capital Region.
Does rehabilitation mean replacing their engines with new ones?
The installation of air-conditioning is another which, if we add all the improvements undertaken, might cost as much as the new jeepneys.
The DOTr must therefore define the exact meaning of rehabilitation to avoid confusion.
It may interest the DOTr to know that one enterprising jeepney operator “modernized” his jeepney years ago by enclosing it and installing an air-conditioning system.
He thought it would work and attract interest but it did not and the effort was quietly abandoned.
The President has made a decision.
The only thing left for the DOTr to do is start planning for the efficient implementation of the President’s decision with the least disruption to all concerned.
This will entail a lot of planning and work to avoid delays and disruptions.
Come January, what preparation is the DOTr doing if a large number of traditional jeepneys will not form cooperatives but still continue operating?
Give them another extension?
My advice to the DOTr/LTFRB is to get to work because one thing the government cannot afford is another transport chaos in the New Year. It should also stop issuing confusing statements.
Part of what the LTFRB/DOTr should do is make a list of those participating in this ongoing two-week transport strike so that legal actions could be taken against the striking operators and drivers.
It is the duty of both agencies to maintain the credibility of the Public Service Law.
Otherwise, this law become useless and will always be ignored as they are already.
From my vantage point, part of the reason why the LTFRB and the DOTr are apparently so helpless in enforcing the Public Service Law is probably the absence of a master list of operators and jeepney drivers.
It is also possible the LTFRB has it but is avoiding taking action in the vain hope these transport associations can be persuaded not to paralyze public transport.
But as we have been constantly seeing, these government gestures were apparently being interpreted as signs of weakness.
We cannot have a public transport system that is always under threat of stoppage every time the operators cannot have their way.
It is time the government took control of the situation for the public good.
Look at what is going on, a few days before Christmas and we are grappling with a transport strike. Unbelievable.
Right now, majority of the people accept the inevitability of the modernization program.
This goes thru with many drivers and traditional jeepney operators.
Only the association officers of Piston and Manibela are vehemently against the program.
In fact, 70 percent of people interviewed favor the new jeepneys.
And why not?
They are clean, air-conditioned and comfortable which the paying public deserves.
My advice to Piston, Manibela and the rest who cannot let go of the old jeepney is it is time to move on.
No one can stop change.
Aside from death and taxes, change is one of the few things that is sure in this life.
After 78 years, the old jeepney has become a relic of the past and we shouldn’t be stuck with a Jurassic transport system.
The 21st century is beckoning for all of us to be part of it.
Merry Christmas to all.
