DOTr eyeing traditional jeepneys for delivery services — Palace

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing traditional jeepneys for delivery services which have become popular amid the social distancing measures imposed by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a televised briefing on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he learned about the plan from Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

“Mayroon din silang plano na gawing delivery service iyong ating mga jeepneys kasi nga hindi pupuwedeng sakyan because hindi pupuwede ang social distancing,” Roque said.

The Palace also made a renewed push for the jeepney modernization program.

“Iyong jeepney modernization ay siguro po pabibilisin para iyong mga mawawalan ng trabaho sa traditional jeepneys ay pupuwedeng mag-shift to iyong mga modern jeepneys,” Roque said.

Malacañang earlier said it was preparing cash assistance for jeepney drivers but later on said it had not yet been approved and would depend on any excess funds from the second tranche of the government’s social amelioration program.

Roque had also said the government may hire jeepney drivers as contact tracers.

However, transport group Samahang Manibela on Monday called on the government to allow old jeepneys to resume operations and lamented the “loss of dignity” of some drivers who have had to resort to begging on the streets for food and money.

The Department of Transportation earlier said mass public transportation will resume operations in two phases this June. — RSJ, GMA News