Jeepney  operators should be resigned by now to the inevitability  of  the  phase-out  of  their old units by  July, 2020. They  staged  another jeepney  strike last Monday but, despite  some  claims of its success, it did not appear to have  caused much disruption in the  daily work schedule  of Metro Manilans. Part of the reason was  the  government ‘s preemptive action of  suspending  classes. Other public transport  systems  also  were able to make up for the usual services  of  jeepneys. It has been two years since the  Department  of Transportation  announced  the  Public Utility  Vehicle Modernization  Program.  Vehicle modernization was only one of its components. Another was a new system for the issuance of new franchises, devolving the function of route planning to local governments,  as they are deemed to be more  knowledgeable  about  local  roads and passenger demand than the Land Transportation  Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).. But the principal part of the program is the phase-out  of  old  jeepneys,  some of which date back to the Liberation period as they were  originally based on the American Armed  Forces  jeep.  The  jeepneys will now  be  replaced with  vehicles with  either Euro-diesel  engines  or electric motors, to provide safer travel while helping  to mitigate  the ill effects of climate  change. One study reportedly found that an old  jeepney  ran about two kilometers per liter of diesel,  while  newer engines can make  12 to 14 kilometers on the same amount of fuel. The major complaint of jeepney  operators was the cost;  the new units  would cost  P1.2 to P1.8 million each but  operators have  been offered  seven-year loans at 6  percent interest, plus  subsidies  from  the LTRFRB and  Congress  totalling P170,000.  The LTFRB has reported that some 5,600  jeepney  operators have  already  taken advantage of  the aid  program. It is truly time to move on. Many Metro Manilans  have already  taken  to  using  other transport systems, including light  rails, buses, UV public service vans, app-based ride hailing services, and taxis.  The government has made as much  allowance  as it can over the years in the form of loan offers and subsidies. Many people continue to prefer jeepneys  because  of the lower fares and  their familiar and shorter  routes. We  need  them  but  they have to move with the times.   Let us have no further postponement of the deadline for the   phaseout  of  these  relics of  the war years.