House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), a traditional jeepney (Speaker’s office, MANILA BULLETIN)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez candidly shared his fond memories of the traditonal jeepneys growing up during an impromptu dialogue with drivers on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24, even as he assured them that the road icon will never go away.

"Ayokong mawala ang imahe ng ating jeepney (I don't want the jeepney's image to fade away)," Romualdez told the jeepney drivers to much applause from the latter.

"Lahat naman tayo, mahal naman natin ang ating mga jeepney, ‘yan talaga ang imahe talaga ng ating Pilipinong (kultura). Maski saan sa kantang 'Manila' ‘di ba, ang mga jeepney, sa mga kanta, basta mga jeepney ng mga Pilipino," he said.

(We all love our jeepneys, that's truly the image of Philippine culture. Even in the song 'Manila', the jeepneys are in the song, it's the jeepney of Filipinos.)

In a rare gesture by a sitting House leader, Romualdez invited picketers from several jeepney drivers' groups inside the House of Representatives so that he may hear their grievances about the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) first-hand.

Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who joined the dialogue, said the Speaker had spotted the drivers holding a rally outside the House of Representatives earlier that day.

"Nagpapasalamat ako na lumapit kayo sakin para malaman din natin ang mga hinaing niyo po," Romualdez told the rallyists against the controversial PUVMP, which was hatched during the previous Duterte administration.

(Thank you for coming here and letting me know your grievances.)

Main sticking point

The main sticking point of the PUVMP on the perspective of jeepney drivers has been the lapsed deadline for the consolidation process--a key step toward the modernization of jeeps. When the deadline lapsed on Dec. 31, 2023, all unconsolidated drivers had their franchises automatically canceled by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The LTFRB had given such drivers only until the end of January 2024 to continue plying routes. After that, they would effectively lose their livelihood.

"Ako mismo, ako makikiusap din ako sa LTFRB kung pwede ma-extend natin ito (Dec. 31, 2023) habang, pag-aralan natin muli ang epekto nito," Romualdez said.

(I will personally ask the LTFRB, if possible, to extend the deadline while we once again study its effects.)

Just a few minutes the dialogue, Malacañang--apparently aware of what was happening in the House of Representatives--issued an order to extend the consolidation deadline for another three months.

That same morning, the Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop-led Committee on Transportation approved a motion urging President Marcos to reconsider the lapsed deadline for the benefit of the drivers.

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/house-panel-urges-pbbm-to-extend-puv-franchise-consolidation-deadline

"Modern" jeeps that have supplanted the traditional jeepneys on various routes have taken the shape of mini-buses. Needless to say, it's a far cry from the vehicle's familiar look--a look that Romualdez is very familiar with.

'We will preserve that'

He said he would read markings on jeeps such as "Sarao" and "Francisco" as a kid on his way to school.

He also recalled the usual motif of galvanized horses mounted on the these jeeps.

"Makati sa Intercon [hotel] may jeepney bar. Basta ‘yong jeepney talaga ang, ‘yan talaga ang simbulo ng ating Pilipinas kaya dapat hindi ‘yan mawala, at suportado ko kayo dito. At ipe-preserve natin ‘yan, at dapat hindi ‘yan mawala sa ating bayan," noted the Speaker.

(At the Intercon hotel on Makati there's a jeepney bar. Truly, jeepneys are the symbol of our country, the Philippines, that's why it must not go away, and I support you in this. We will preserve that, and that must not disappear from our nation.)

Romualdez even shared an anecdote about him trying to "race" jeepney drivers after he learned how to drive himself.

"Palagi kong kinakarera ‘yong mga jeepney. Pinaka-matindi na mga driver ang jeepney driver. At syempre naman ‘yong serbisyo na binibigay sa taumbayan, hindi na ‘yan mawawala," he said.

(I always raced with jeepneys. Jeepney drivers are the best drivers. And of course, their service to the people will never go away.)