Senate reschedules hearing on jeepney modernization program

The Senate public services committee hearing on the jeepney modernization program that was supposed to take place on Thursday has been rescheduled to December 11, Senator Grace Poe said Monday.

“Nakiusap si Secretary Tugade kung pwede i-urong ang hearing sa Lunes … Ako na mismo ang nagdesisyon at aapela ako sa PISTON at sa ibang mga grupo na sa tingin ko ang layunin nila ay makaharap mismo si Secretary Tugade,” Poe said in an interview.

“Lunes daw available siya kaya itutuloy ang public hearing kasama ang mga jeepney [drivers],” she said.

The committee scheduled a Senate hearing on the concerns of jeepney drivers after a nationwide transport strike was supposed to be held Monday to Tuesday this week.

The strike was canceled by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition, heeding the call of Poe to "reconsider" their nationwide strike.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters that the modernization program was going to happen despite protests.

“Tuloy 'yung modernization. Sinabi na ng Presidente, bakit may ganoon pang tanong?” Tugade said.

“You can do protest actions, but you must follow the law. You can do protest actions but you must give importance to the benefit of the majority, that’s the essence of democracy,” he added.

According to the Department of Transportation in a statement, "One of the components of the program is fleet consolidation. The number of units will be determined by the Local Public Transport Route Plan, which is an integral part of the route rationalization program, that will identify the approved routes nationwide.

"The number of units, as well as the maximum number of operators, shall depend on the demand of the approved route. PUVs that are 15 years and older will be phased out and replaced with environment friendly and fuel-efficient units," it said.

The prototypes of the modern jeepney which has an exit door on the side of the vehicle and bigger body to accommodate more passengers will be pilot-tested in January 2018, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said earlier. — VDS/BM, GMA News