Cardenas, Francine Dianne P.

STEM 11-A
Dasal, Maria Arabella
Dinglasan, Karl Rapahael
Ventura, John Emmerson T.

Fading Trails: The Rough Road Ahead for Jeepney Phaseout

In the midst of the rush and commotion of urban life, one unique emblem stands out,
running through the chaos with its vibrant colors and loud sounds—the jeepney. These iconic,
Jeep-inspired public utility vehicles have been an essential element of the Philippine
transportation landscape for decades, transporting passengers from one location to another while
conveying a sense of camaraderie and Filipino resilience. However, amid the ongoing issues of
traffic jams, air pollution, and modernization, a controversial proposal rose—the jeepney
phaseout. This position paper takes a stand against the jeepney phaseout and explores the
different consequences surrounding this topic. This will look into the potential negative effects of
the phaseout and encourage the preservation of the traditional jeepney as a vital component of
our national heritage.

Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which was created
by the government to provide Filipino commuters with a "safe, adequate, comfortable, and
environmentally friendly road-based public transportation system," jeepneys that are 15 years old
or older will be scrapped and replaced with more modern models. As part of the modernization
plan, the scheme now includes buses and public utility vans in addition to jeepneys. Despite the
government's good intentions in implementing the program, the immediate outcomes are poor
and may have even produced more difficulties than there were to begin with.

One direct consequence of the jeepney phaseout is the loss of employment for jeepney
drivers. The jeepney phaseout will have an impact on almost two million family members,
500,000 drivers, and 300,000 operators, according to the Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center
(CBBRC). This alone demonstrates the severity of the phaseout's impacts, as the policy will
result in huge unemployment among Filipino drivers. Although the program includes loans and
possibilities for these drivers and operators, current jeepneys will continue to be too expensive
and will have a significant impact on the lives of the borrowers as they struggle to pay the loans
while simultaneously attempting to make ends meet. Transport organizations also feel that under
the new wage structure suggested by the modernization program, driver exploitation would
intensify because the country currently has a poor compliance rate for regularizing their
workforce. Many drivers may also be unable to meet some of the standards, such as age,
educational background, and examinations.

The severe fee rises are another foreseeable effect of the phaseout. In fact, the CBBRC
estimated that once the updated jeepneys reach the roads, the minimum charge will rise from P12
to P20. Unfortunately, fare increases are unavoidable, but ordinary Filipinos' earnings and
salaries remain unchanged. This causes many commuting Filipinos to express anxiety about the
inevitable fare rises, which, when combined with the lack of jeepneys on the streets, makes a far
more difficult and stressful commuting experience. As a result, the public has remained
outspoken in its opposition to the phaseout, urging the government to consider the millions of
lives that will be impacted not just by ticket increases, but also by the loss of livelihood for many
drivers and operators.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) argues that
traditional jeepneys are environmentally harmful due to their large contribution to air pollution
caused by outdated engines. Second, they noted that commuter safety frequently comes into
question. Traditional jeepneys lack security features such as seatbelts, fastened seats, appropriate
lighting, doors, and windows. Additionally, they pointed out that due to their frequent pauses,
irregular schedules, and insufficient capacity, traditional jeepneys are not time-efficient. In order
to increase their income, jeepney drivers frequently insist on picking up more passengers, even
when doing so would significantly inconvenience the passengers. In consequence, the
department insists on issuing modern jeepneys. The modern jeepneys are intended to look like
minibuses, with closed doors and windows, air conditioning, and increased seating capacity.

While these goals are valid and essential, it is critical to focus on the key element that has
a big impact on these factors - the engine. Instead of focusing on the exterior design of jeepneys,
the emphasis should be on modernizing the engines to meet current environmental standards and
enhance fuel efficiency. Sequentially, safety features can be installed on traditional jeepneys as
an upgrade and in compliance with the safety of passengers. We can accomplish the desired
results while preserving the cultural and artistic worth of jeepneys by directing resources toward
engine upgrades.

Overall, the authors of this study oppose the phaseout of jeepneys and advocate for an
inclusive and carefully designed modernization of jeepneys.