Reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid has made it his campaign promise to preserve the iconic Philippine jeepney amid the modernization of public utility vehicles (PUV).

“Kaya naman natin na gawing modernize ang mga traditional jeepney natin, maging aircon para maging komportable ang pagsakay ng ating mga pasahero, at ‘yung iba pa nga pinapatakbo na ng kuryente at solar,” Lapid said in a statement Wednesday, May 7.

(We can modernize our traditional jeepneys—add air conditioning for passengers’ comfort, and some are even now powered by electricity and solar energy.)

Lapid, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, reckoned that the government should support and subsidize local manufacturers of traditional jeepneys who are already producing modernized vehicles in line with the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

“Habang nire-review ang implementasyon nito, tulungan natin ang mga Pinoy manufacturer na makagawa ng makabagong sasakyan na kapareho ng mga traditional jeepney natin, upang sa gayon ay patuloy pa rin natin silang makita sa ating mga lansangan sa mga susunod na henerasyon pero makabago na,” said the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate.

(While its implementation is under review, we should assist Filipino manufacturers in creating modern vehicles that still resemble our traditional jeepneys. That way, we can continue to see them on our streets in future generations, but in an upgraded form.)

Lapid was among those who signed a Senate resolution urging the temporary suspension of the PTMP, formerly known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, to refine the initiative and address the concerns of operators and struggling drivers.

Some transport groups have complained about the exorbitant prices of modern PUVs, which have a mini-bus design and are imported from China, as well as the lack of sufficient subsidies to help operators afford them.

In support of PUV modernization, Lapid included two traditionally-designed air-conditioned jeepneys in his motorcade through Muntinlupa and Las Piñas cities on Tuesday.