TWO Senators deemed it necessary to postpone the plan to phaseout old jeepneys citing the fact further consultation should be implemented as this will affect lives specifically for the poor sectors of society.

Senators Jose Jinggoy Estrada and Grace Poe echoed the same view of sentiment with jeepney drivers and operators for opposing the government’s plan to phaseout the traditional jeepneys.

Earlier, Poe filed Senate Resolution No. 507, entitled “A Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate to strongly urge the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to postpone the planned phaseout of all traditional jeepneys by June 30, 2023.”

According to Estrada, it is important for the government to listen to these people considering that their livelihoods will be affected, as he stressed the need to review it carefully.

“Althouth we believe it is imperative that we implement the public utility modernization program, hindi dapat ito magsilbing lubid na bibigti sa kanila kundi lubid na magliligtas sa kanila at hihila sa kanila sa pangangalaga at paggabay ng ating pamahalaan,” Estrada said in a privilege speech.

Saying that our public sector caters to the most numbers of Filipinos, Estrada said the government should be reminded that the “masang Pilipino” will greatly be affected by this move.

“Our public transport sectors caters to the most number of Filipinos – ang masang Pilipino. Patuloy silang pumapasada sa kabila ng hagupit ng tumataas pang presyo ng krudo at mga pangunahing bilihin. Kahit na kakarampot ang naiuuwing kita ng ating mga namamasada ay hindi sila tumitigil sa kanilang responsibilidad sa masang Pilipino, na sa kanila umaasa para sa kanilang pang araw araw na transportasyon. Kaya napapanahon na upang sila naman ang isakay natin sa maginhawang buhay,” Ejercito said.

Poe earlier said there is merit in the sentiment of jeepney drivers and operators for opposing the jeepney phaseout.

Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said that although the government’s intention is well understood for its planned modernization of the mass transportation system, there must be a “thorough consultation” before this should be implemented.

Poe said the government must consider a “win-win” solution for both sides as she suggested that the phaseout of jeepneys must be done in a gradual phase.

“Modernization should not result in the displacement of jeepney drivers, who often belong to the country’s poor. The phaseout of jeepneys must be done gradually. Fleet management or maintenance of jeepney units through the Motor Vehicle Inspection System should also be included in the guidelines,” Poe said.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, for his part, also called for an in-depth Senate hearing on the government’s jeepney modernization program and the impending phaseout of the iconic traditional jeepneys in June.

During the plenary session, Escudero lamented the “problematic” implementation of the jeepney modernization program, especially when it comes to financing the new jeepney units, securing the route rationalization plan, and requiring drivers to join or form a cooperative.

“May I ask that these discussions, on top of approving or adopting the resolution filed by Sen. Grace Poe, be referred to the Committee on Public Services. This, I believe, needs an in-depth hearing on the matter so that all sides will be heard,” Escudero said.

Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito agreed with Poe, saying the jeepney modernization program can wait, considering that there are still “many problems” to fix for its implementation.

Ejercito said this is not the right time to rush the modernization program.

“There’s still a long way to go before the jeepney modernization program can be realized,” Ejercito said, citing the ongoing construction of the North-South Commuter Railway line, other railway projects, and the halting of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) operations to give way to the modern railway.