Solon opposes use of foreign-made jeepneys in PUV modernization

Jeepneys to be used in the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) must be manufactured locally, Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe said on Monday.

“We should stop that ... you know, China-made jeepneys ... Better to manufacture here,” Batocabe said in a House hearing on the PUVMP.

“Ito po ang tingnan nating mabuti. Dapat ang magsusupply ng jeepney dito rin sa Pilipinas. Dapat ipagbawal ang importation ng completely-build na unit. Dapat dito na gawin. Bantayan nating mabuti ito," he said.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Marc De Leon noted during the same hearing that some operators have already gone to China to check “cheaper brands of jeepneys.”

"Hindi lang tayo solely dependent sa local manufacturing. We are open. In fact, some operators are already looking at cheaper brands of jeepneys abroad. Nakapunta na ‘yung iba sa China,” De Leon noted.

However, Batocabe said there are certain aspects of the program that must be taken into consideration especially when buying jeepeneys from abroad. “Hindi pwedeng basta na lang kayo kukuha ng jeep. Pagkatapos pano ang maintenance niyan? Ayusin natin ang supply ng jeepney,” he said.

Under the program, PUVs must comply with “emission standards (euro-4 and above) set forth in the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.”

The Department of Transportation priced a new jeepney between P1.5 million and P1.8 million under the PUVMP, with the government subsidizing P80,000. —VDS, GMA News