From left: Conrad Almazora of Almazora Motors Corporation, Edgard Cabangon of Isuzu Gencars, Inc.; Hajime Koso, president of Isuzu Phils Corp.; DOTr Usec. Thomas Orbos; Medy Villanueva of SETSCO; LTFRB Chairman, Martin Delgra III (behind), Senate President, Vicente Sotto III; Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian (behind); and Sen. Miguel Zubiri at the ribbon-cutting for the official turnover of the Isuzu PUVs.
Modern PUVS now ply the grounds of the Senate of the Philippines. The initial batch of 15 modernized jeepneys, built by Isuzu and Almazora Motors Corp. were turned over early this week to the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO) to be used for the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Formal turnover ceremonies were held in front of the Senate building in Pasay City, in the presence of Senate President, Vicente C. Sotto III;Senator, Juan Miguel Zubiri; Senator, Sherwin Gatchalian;DOTrUsec., Thomas Orbos; and LTFRB Chairman, Martin Delgra III.
The Senate is one of the first government bodies to initiate the PUV Modernization Program, with SETSCO) as the pilot operator.
Senate President, Vicente Sotto III; with Hajime Koso, president of Isuzu Phils Corp. and Edgard Cabangon (center) of Isuzu Gencars, Inc.
The modernized PUVs were assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform and the rear body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corp, are air-conditioned Class 2 PUVs with a side-facing seat configuration. The Isuzu QKR platform is assembled in the Philippines and is equipped with Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine.
The new PUV body is compliant with Philippine National Standards (PNS 2126:2017). The passenger cabin provides space for passengers to stand upright and move easily inside. The passenger door is safely situated on the right-hand side, facing the sidewalk. Other design features of the body include panoramic windows and windshields, full-body insulation with GeneQ shield, an automatic door closer, and provisions for persons with disabilities.
Additional comfort and security features include LED TV monitors for real-time information including station details, route, date, time, weather, news, and advertisement, LED electronic signages for vehicle route information, fire extinguishers, CCTV, dashcam and back-up cameras, and the automatic fare collection —all fitted to improve passengers' safety, entertainment, and added convenience in fare collection.
From left: Hajime Koso, President of Isuzu Phils Corp.; Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian; DOTr Usec., Thomas Orbos; LTFRB Chairman, Martin Delgra III; and Conrad Almazora of Almazora Motors Corporation.
The new PUVs are covered bya warranty for cab and chassis for three years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first and separate warranty for body, aircon and accessories, options not typically offered for conventional jeepneys.
SETSCO selected this particular PUV model due to Isuzu’s brand reputation. According to SETSCO's franchise holders, a program of this magnitude would require that all aspects of the program "must go right from the start", as a pilot project ultimately determines the future course of the program as it is applied in other locations in the Philippines.
“SETSCO exhausted all options available, most especially the vehicle brand for our transport services, and we came to the conclusion that Isuzu would be the best choice because of the vehicles' durability, parts availability, and fuel efficiency. Many of our members have experienced for themselves these qualities of Isuzu vehicles in their daily commutes."
Also present at the event were Hajime Koso, President, Isuzu Philippines Corporation; Edgard Cabangon, Chairman & CEO Isuzu Gencars, Inc.; and Mr. Conrad Almazora, Executive Vice Pesident, Almazora Motors Corporation; Senate Secretariat officials, SETSCO officials, key government officials and executives from the private sector.
"This is truly a landmark event for the PUV modernization program of the Philippine government and Isuzu Philippines Corporation's active participation in this timely project. The fruitful collaboration between IPC and the wholly Filipino-owned Almazora Motors Corp ensures that our commuters ride only in world-class public utility vehicles that also take into careful consideration passenger safety, comfort, and the particular locality's needs," said IPC President, Hajime Koso.
"The formal turnover today at the honorable institution of the Senate of the Philippines, only means that we are starting the PUVMP program not just on the right foot, but in the best way possible, as our modernized jeepneys will provide safe, convenient, reliable and comfortable transport services to the people who render public service on their part," he said.
SETSCO, which has shown to comply with the requirements prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), has been run by Senate employees since 2004 and now has joint ownership of 35 franchises granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The PUV Modernization Program is envisioned to replace some 250,000 jeepneys nationwide with new, safe and environment-friendly, secure, convenient and comfortable public utility vehicles.
The program was first deployed in Tacloban with the government eyeing to implement in other areas very soon.