Jeepney program review pressed
THE national government has been urged to review its jeepney modernization program which is at present being contested by the transport sector.
Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said the government should look into the “catalogue of complaints, from financing to roadworthiness to affordability before proceeding with the program.”
“If cars undergo regular checkup, so must the jeepney fleet replacement program so that if factory defects are found, then these can be corrected,” Recto said.
“Di ba yung kotse nga may PMS ( preventive maintenance schedule), kaya dapat ganun din ang jeepney modernization program. There is no harm in looking under the hood of the program. A tune-up is not a bad thing,” he added.
He said all stakeholders are united on the idea of modernizing the jeep under a program that is affordable, just, consultative and democratic.
“So itong panawagan na i-evaluate ang programa ay beneficial speedbumps to ensure that the program will not crash,” Recto said.
Policy recklessness is more dangerous than reckless driving, the veteran solon stressed.
Recto called for a “fleet inventory” to determine how many modern jeepneys are still running.
“Kumusta naman po ang maintenance expenses nila? Mahal ba o mura? Matibay ba sila o sirain? Mayroon bang ready spare parts?” he asked.
He also urged the government to take “a dipstick reading” of the income of drivers and cooperatives, “if they are able to amortize the units.”
In January 2020, the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines had already approved loans for the purchase of 2,122 units worth P4.46 billion.
“Kamustahin natin sila kung on time bang nakakapagbayad ng installment. What is the success rate? What is the bankruptcy ratio?” Recto said.
Meanwhile, Senator Chiz Escudero said the government should audit the status of the jeepney modernization program amid reports that some vehicles are breakdown-prone and have been grounded for lack of spare parts.
“Sabi ng gobyerno, full speed ahead sa jeepney modernization. Pero hindi ba na kahit sa anumang programa ng gobyerno ay may mid-implementation assessment upang makita at maremedyohan ang mga kahinaan? “Escudero said.
He cited the experience of Sorsogon, when he was still the governor, where modern jeepneys “spoon-fed by the government to cooperatives have become unusable after two years.”
“Kinakahuyan na lang po ng piyesa, ‘yung hindi na magamit kasi wala namang available na spare parts kasi ‘made in China’.
“We have been sold lemons. So how if modern jeepneys conk out after a few years? How can they be better replacements of sturdy 30-year-old jeeps?” he said.
Escudero added that vehicle replacement is just one of the many components of the jeepney modernization program.
“The checklist is actually long. Kasama dito ang Route Rationalization Plan. And when I was governor, I think we were one of the only few which had its plan approved.’ Yang palit sasakyan ay isang parte lang ng jeepney modernization because what is the use of deploying new units under a system that remains chaotic?
“We are badgering drivers to enroll in fleet modernization. Pero kamusta naman kaya ang ang gawain na nakatoka sa gobyerno tulad ng regulatory reform, financing, at iba pa?” Escudero added. With Camille P. Balagtas