Traditonal jeepneys (MANILA BULLETIN)

Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez hailed the "all-Filipino" solution that the House of Representatives helped achieve regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). 

Suarez was part of a dialogue over the weekend between ranking congressmen and local auto manufacturers. House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the meeting, which was held just days after President Marcos announced a three-month extension to the lapsed jeepney consolidation deadline under PUVMP. 

During the dialogue, Romualdez vowed that priority would be given to modern jeepneys manufactured by Sarao Motors and Francisco Motors. The move is expected to ease the burden on drivers of traditional jeepneys who will join the consolidation, since the locally-made modern jeepneys are cheaper. 

But the quality is still topnotch, Sarao and Francisco assured the ranking solons. 

“Ang Kongreso, sa pamamagitan ng liderato ni Speaker Martin Romualdez ay hindi lang nakatutok sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng mga Pilipino, nag-iisip din ng agarang mga solusyon,” Suarez said. 

(Congress under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez is not just focused on the problems confronting Filipinos, it also comes up with solutions.) 

“Ang solusyon ay mula sa pag-iisip ng mga Pilipino. Ang mangyayari po rito, ang gagawa ng solusyon ay Pilipino rin. Ang makikinabang sa solusyon ay Pilipino rin,” he underscored. 

(The solution was thought of  by Filipinos. The solution will ba carried out by Filipinos. And it's the Filipinos that will benefit from the solution.) 

Hatched during the previous Duterte administration, the PUVMP has been tapping imported or foreign-produced modern jeepneys that cost up to P2.8 million. The exorbitant cost has discouraged thousands of drivers from the consolidation process amid doubts that they can turn a profit from this set-up. 

ALSO READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/10/house-panel-to-urge-pbbm-to-reconsider-lapsed-puv-consolidation-deadline 

Romualdez had also highlighted the need to preserve the iconic look of the traditional jeepney in its modern iteration.

Drivers, operators, and the local auto manufacturers were very hopeful coming out of the meeting. 

“Maraming salamat po Speaker Martin sa oras na ibinigay ninyo upang pakinggan ang aming karaingan sa mas mura, matibay, ligtas, at maasahang jeep,” said Elmer Francisco of Francisco Motor. 

(Many thanks to Speaker Martin for lending his time to listen to our plea for more affordable, robust, safe, and dependable jeeps.) 

For his part, Ed Sarao of Sarao Motors said, “Tinitiyak po namin na mas matibay ang gawang Pinoy na modernong mga jeep para sa mga Pilipino." 

(We assure you that Philippine-made modern jeeps are more robust.) 

“Asahan nyo po na si Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr., kagaya ng kanyang ama, ay suportado ang anumang Philippine-made initiatives. Itong gobyerno, this Congress will be very much behind you and supportive of your industry," said Romualdez.  

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co also attended the dialogue.