(Eagle News) — The Palace on Monday said the planned jeepney modernization program would continue despite the two-day nationwide strike declared by a militant transport group.
According to Abella, the program, which will see jeepneys at least 15 years old phased out, was “long overdue,” after all.
“There were several attempts in the past to modernize the public transport system but these have been thwarted due to similar transport strikes, which unfortunately resulted in an outdated public transport system,” he said.
Abella noted that the program also has the support of other transport groups.
He said these include the “Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburb Drivers Association Nationwide Inc., Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, the Stop and Go Coalition, and the majority of provincial transport cooperatives all over the country.”
For all these reasons, he said the government, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board “will continue with the discussions, consultations, and further collaboration with members of the public transport sector, particularly in explaining the financial scheme available to PUJ operators and drivers who wish to avail of new units through financing of government financial institutions.”
Free rides
As for those who could be affected by the two-day transport strike launched by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operetor Nationwide, Abella said the LTFRB has deployed 35 city buses for use of stranded passengers in Metro Manila.
He said these were apart from the four military trucks, four buses, four vans, and four service vehicles coming from the Metropolitan Manila and Development Authority; the 15 trucks provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines; 12 light trucks and four military trucks provided by the Philippine Coast Guard; and six shuttles and one service vehicle provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Local government units, he said, also provided free rides.
