Tolentino urges DOTr to retain 'iconic' jeepney design

Senator Francis Tolentino on Saturday reiterated his call to retain the iconic jeepney design in the government's Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization program. 

Tolentino said retaining the design "will cater to the country’s history and culture" related to the country's primary mode of transportation.

“Wala kayong ine-endorse na design pero kung mage-endorse kayo iyong traditional, iconic jeepney na para maging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan, kultura, at tradisyon,” Tolentino told Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Chairman of Transportation Cooperatives, Andy Ortega in a radio interview.

(You are not endorsing any design. If you will endorse, choose the iconic jeepney design that's part of our history, culture, and tradition.)

“Lahat ito ay bahagi na ng kasaysayan then all of a sudden papalitan natin ng flat nose, kwadrado na parang refrigerator na may gulong," he added. 

(All of this is part of history, and then all of a sudden we will replace it with a flat nose, square-like design like a refrigerator with wheels.)

Ortega, however, said that the agency is more focused on maintaining the safety standards and environmental friendliness of the modernized vehicles.

“We are confident that the better-looking, ika nga iyong “iconic design” will now be in our street,” Ortega remarked. 

Tolentino also urged Ortega to talk with the leaders who oppose the PUV modernization since there will be over 30,000 public utility jeepneys that will be affected.

“Pakiusap na lang, bago dumating ang February 1, pwede kayang iyong mga leader ng mga nago-oppose isang upuan lang, magkape kayo, para bago magkaroon ng implementation ng February 1, para talagang maipaliwanag ang inyong posisyon,” Tolentino said.

(Please talk to those who are opposing the modernization before the implementation on February 1 and tell them about your position.)

Ortega then said that DOTr is open for such talks and has been proactive in information drive for drivers and operators even before the consolidation deadline last December 2023.

On Thursday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said 50% of jeepneys in Metro Manila did not meet the consolidation deadline.

LTFRB said only 21,655 out of 42,177 units, or 51%, met the consolidation deadline last December 31, leaving 20,522 units still unconsolidated.

With this development, the LTFRB urged unconsolidated jeepney operators to join or form a cooperative before the extended deadline ends on January 31, 2024. 

The application for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is part of the modernization program, ended on December 31, 2023. It was extended until January 31.

Those who fail to apply for consolidation will no longer be allowed to operate starting February. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News