Moreno to temporarily suspend jeepney modernization if elected

If he wins in Eleksyon 2022, presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno said he would temporarily suspend the jeepney modernization program to ease the expenses of drivers and operators

Moreno issued the remark when asked about his other platforms to improve the livelihood of transport groups aside from implementing a 50 percent cut on fuel excise tax.

“Una, yung modernization plan, pumanatag na kayo, moratorium na yan para hindi na kayo maggastos sa bagong sasakyan,” he said in a Monday press conference.

“Another thing that you can benefit from under my watch, medyo sususpend ko muna yan. Kasi napapagastos talaga ng husto yung operator at saka minsan yung owner ng jeep, yung driver na siya rin minsan may ari,” he added.

(I would suspend it. Because operators would have to spend for this, and so too would the jeep's owner, and the driver who in some cases also owns the jeep.)

Drivers and operators have repeatedly opposed the modernization program, saying the government's requirements were too difficult and costly.

The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet, meanwhile, said he still needed to look into increasing passenger fares.

“Yun tingin ko kailangan ko aralin. Madali magtaas, yes I agree. Kailangan magtaas, magtaas tayo. Bawasan ang buwis ng krudo at kuryente. More savings to them or earnings, mas mabilis ang ikot ng pera,” he said.

(I think I have to study this. It's easy to increase fares, yes I agree. If we need to increase fares, we will increase fares. Reduce taxes on fuel and electricity. More savings to them or earnings, money will circulate faster.)

Meanwhile, Moreno said he would push for ending contractualization after the first two years of his term. Moreno had previously said his administration would dedicate his first two years to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If there is a law or need to have a law, then so be it. One thing is for sure, we will go in that direction. That is our commitment to them. We’ll try to be sensible and explain to Congress and the Senate that this thing must be attended,” he said.

The Bus Transport Workers Alliance, Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations, and the National Confederation of Labor earlier endorsed Moreno's candidacy for president. — DVM, GMA News