Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson is proposing a win-win solution to address the concerns of jeepney operators and drivers regarding the government’s jeepney modernization program.
Lacson, whose father was a jeepney driver, suggested a plan that would allow jeepney drivers to retain their individual franchises instead of transferring ownership to a cooperative. He mentioned that he would discuss this proposal with the new Transportation Secretary, Vivencio Dizon.
“Jeepney drivers or operators will retain their individual franchises, even if membership in a cooperative is required. Transferring the franchise to the cooperative makes the drivers and operators feel as though they have lost ownership,” Lacson stated during a press conference for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in Negros Occidental.
Lacson also mentioned that the government could find ways to reduce the costs of modern jeepneys, which currently cost around P2.7 million each—a price that is prohibitive for many. He suggested that cheaper electric vehicles could be sourced from countries like Korea or China.
However, he emphasized that modernizing the design of the jeepney should be non-negotiable, and he believes that drivers would agree to this change. “I’m confident that the drivers will support modernizing the design of the jeepney, but we must ensure they retain individual ownership of their vehicles,” he said.