Jeepney Modernization Program

On my part, I am in full support of the plan of the Government to modernize our jeepneys, our king of the roads because of the following:

1.) We are now in the 21st century;

2.) There is a need to modernize the jeepneys to make it fully work and for the passengers to be more comfortable in riding them;

3.) To phase out old jeepneys that cannot cope up anymore with the demands of the 21st century;

4.) To ensure that the jeepneys will be at par with environmental sustainability;

5.) For the jeepneys to have modern equipment like GPS so that the drivers will be taught how to use them well in driving such jeepneys while at the same time they may be subsidized by the Government; And;

6.) To serve as a preliminary to a mass public transport modernization program.

The said program is good. This has been conceptualized and planned I think decades ago and now is the time for it to be implemented NOW and as Mr. Arnel Ignacio put it this way: "NOW NA!"

I cannot really understand why some jeepney drivers and operators' groups like PISTON are opposing this if this program in the long run will eventually benefit them while most of other drivers groups are supporting it? Ano ba kinakatakot nila? I don't think mawawalan sila ng kita dito eh. Maybe their earnings to my mind, will increase if the modernization program pushes through in the remaining five years of the present Duterte Administration.

In fact, the LTFRB said that there will be a transition period when the new modern jeepneys will come in and the old jeepneys will be gradually be phased out for three years which will end on 2020.

But there are alleged problems on it. The Government should have involved the jeepney drivers and operators in the crafting of the program which PISTON says but the Government says there were consultations.

And one of the good things in the program is that the Government will be in charge of providing salary to the farmers, if I am correct. Kumbaga, subsidized na sila. But there are concerns that maybe threshed out in any forum like the Thursday's Senate hearing so that the Government and some transpo groups could agree on a fair and balanced as well as gradual implementation of the said program. In this hearing, I hope there will be a constructive ans fruitful dialogue between the two in the said hearing. And after that, I hope there will be further consultations and in that way, the drivers and the operators will be fully aware of the program itself.

However, PISTON should exercise diplomacy on the Senate hearing and should not be bossy. To do otherwise would be lack of respect to the Senate and to the Government.

Comments can be submitted to my e-mail:

jamesvelina45@gmail.com

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