Lawmaker clarifies no jeepney phaseout in PUV modernization program

A lawmaker on Sunday clarified that the country's "king of the road" will not be phased out because of the government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

"Hindi mawawala ang jeepney bilang iconic Filipino symbol at kabuhayan ng maraming Pilipino sa Metro Manila at iba pang panig ng Pilipinas," Bagong Henerasyon party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy said in an emailed statement.

Her statement comes before the two-day nationwide strike to oppose the PUV modernization program, led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON).

PISTON opposes the program claiming that the phaseout plan would require even small operators to purchase newer and more expensive models.

"The public is generally not aware, in my view, that the jeepney phase-out will affect only the old units. This point gets lost in translation and fizzles out in the public debate," Dy said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said finance officials have approved an P80,000 subsidy for each of at least 28,000 jeepneys under the PUV modernization program.

The program was launched by the Department of Transportation in June, seeking to modernize vehicles plying the streets of the country.

Under the program, new PUVs must pass higher safety standards, and should have exits along the sides of the vehicles to ensure the riders' safety. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/ALG, GMA News