Treston International College
Position Paper on
Public Utility Vehicle Modernization
Program Saves the Transportation in the
Philippines
Prepared by:
Caryll Anne Y. Caleo
11-Lions
TVL-Culinary
Prepared for:
Ms. Tara Mae Mondido
October 28, 2019
It is widely known that the situation of transportation in the Philippines
worsens day by day. From riding a jeepney, bus or taxi, there are some worse
case scenarios that some of commuters had to experience. For example,
sexual harassment, arrogant drivers, traffic and pollution. These major
problems of transportation in Philippines is a hindrance, not just for the
government, but also for the commuters. The government found a way to
make the daily life of commuters easier and safer, Public Utility Vehicle
Modernization Program. Last June 19, 2017, the Department of
Transportation published the Department Order No. 2017-011 (Re: Omnibus
Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation
Services and Franchise Issuance) or the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization
Program (PUVMP). This program visualizes a modern, restructured and well-
maintained environment for the transport sector and commuters. This
program claims to provide the commuters a comfortable, sufficient, safe and
quick trip while they get to their destinations. The Public Utility Vehicle
Modernization Program is an initiative of the government to put a safer and
new jeepneys and probably phasing out the old ones.
Public Utility Vehicles are not just causing a threat to the health and
environment, but it also cause a lot of inconvenience to other people.
Otherwise, this program could be a cause of major problems, such as the
strikes that is widely happening in the Philppines. Many people would see this
as an advantage to our environment and it would be less hassle for the
commuters. The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program was introduced
by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board last 2015. The
program seeks to diminish old and poorly maintained jeepneys, and to ensure
the safety of the commuters, it will also help to prevent the pollution that the
old jeepneys are causing. According to LTFRB, the public vehicle operators
will not be allowed to franchise unless their unit passed the minimum age
requirement, which is 15 years. To be fair, this program is not only for
jeepneys, but it is also regulated for buses and other public vehicles.
Many people would see the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization
Program as a positive sign for the transportation of our country. The following
reasons are: First, the program will transform the state of PUVs into
international standard, to ensure the safeness and comfort of a commuter.
Second, it will be a PWD friendly PUV thus, will be a great help for those
people with disabilities because it will make their trip much comfortable and
safer. Third, some of the PUVs will have a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
Camera. The CCTVs will play a big part on ensuring the safety of the
commuters, to know what is happening inside the PUVs. Lastly, there will be
an automated fare collection system on the new PUVs. This will be very
convenient for the driver and the commuters because the driver does not need
to bother anymore how will they get their passengers fare. The upgrades on
PUVs will be functional and beneficial for the commuters. These upgrades will
make the everyday lives of commuters easier.
The new PUVs are environmental and health friendly. According to the
Climate Change Commissioner most of diesel-fuelled jeepneys, buses, trucks
and other vehicles are responsible for the 70% of black carbon emission on
Metro Manila (Alvarez, 2013). It is very visible that the old PUVs had nothing
to do with the prevention of pollution in Philippines, it only worsen the
pollution in the country.
Despite of those functional and beneficial advantages that this program
can offer, there are some people, organization or association that does not
agree to the services that it can offer. Such as Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga
Tsuper at Operation Nationwide (PISTON) and Stop and Go Coalition, they are
against the modernization because they see it as ‘anti poor’ and it will lead to
the loss of income of the small-time jeepney operators. They are looking unto
the high costing of the modern jeepneys. A modern jeepney will cost about
₱1.2 million to ₱1.6 million, it can be payable for 7 years. The estimated
subsidy of these modern jeepneys is about ₱800 per day or ₱24,000 per
month. Even though this is the current boundary rates in Metro Manila, the
operators will not be able to gain profit in a long period of time.
On the other hand, even though the costing is high it will still benefit
the commuters and the drivers of PUVs. And these modern jeepneys can stay
much longer than the older ones. Also, these modern jeepneys are much
environmental friendly because the vehicles that are used must have low
emission of carbon dioxide. The modern jeepneys may look pricey, but it is
worth loaning and the said upgrades helps the drivers to ensure the safety of
their passengers.
The PUVMP can really help to improve the state of transportation in our
country. It can also help the prevention of carbon dioxide that the public
vehicles emits. It can give comfort to people with disabilities and personal
care. This modern jeepneys are qualified in international standards, and by
the help of technology, such as GPS (Global Positioning System) and CCTVs,
the life of the commuters or passengers are ensured.
REFERENCES
Adrian, M. (2019). PUV Modernization: Here’s What You Need To Know.
Retrieved from https://www.imoney.ph/articles/jeepney-puv-
modernization-program/
Talabong, R. (2017). Is the PUV modernization program 'anti-poor?'
Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/173888-puv-
modernization-program-anti-poor
LTFRB (2017). PUV Modernization
Retrieved from http://ltfrb.gov.ph/index.php/puv-modernization-2/
