Palace stresses virtues of jeepney modernization program a few days before its start

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is not anti-poor, Malacañang said on Thursday—just a few days before it will be implemented.

Under the program, jeepney operators are required to upgrade their units to modern vehicles by January 1.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a statement said that the program would even jeepney driver improve their earnings.

“The Palace clarifies that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Duterte Administration is not anti-poor, contrary to the claims of some transport groups,” Roque said.

“We assure Filipino jeepney drivers that this initiative of the government to improve our public transport sector will not put them out of business. It was not designed to phase out jeepneys. In fact, the program aims to strengthen and guarantee the profitability of the jeepney business,” he added.

Roque assures jeepney driver that the government agencies, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOTr), are ensuring the PUV drivers that their concerns regarding the program would be addressed.

“Among these efforts [are] the provision of a financing scheme for acquisition of new units available through the Development Bank of the Philippines’ Support Alternative Driving Approaches (Pasada) Program and Landbank of the Philippines’ Special Environment-Friendly and Efficiently Driven (SPEED) Jeepney Program,” Roque said.

“The Department of Finance (DOF) is offering a 5% equity, 6% interest rate and a repayment period as long as 7 years financing package on top of the PhP80,000 subsidy per unit to cover the equity payment. In addition, there is zero or low maintenance cost of new units in the first 3 years, which translates to savings,” he added.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) led the protests against the PUVMP. But its leader, George San Mateo, was arrested for violating The Public Service Act after staging protests against the modernization program.

In a speech in Camarines Sur in October, President Rodrigo Duterte gave an ultimatum to jeepney operators and drivers.

“January 1, ‘pag hindi niyo na-modernize ‘yan, umalis kayo. Mahirap kayo? P— ina, sige. Magtiiis kayo sa hirap at gutom, wala akong pakialam. It’s the majority of the Filipino people. Huwag ninyong ipasubo ang tao,” he said. —NB, GMA News