Mary Rose C.

Ylagan
STEM 11 - Carnelian

POSITION PAPER:
MODERNIZATION FOR THE KING OF THE ROAD, NOT JEEPNEY PHASE-OUT

Without jeepneys, what could be the lifeline of jeepney Drivers? How would the students who are not
privileged enough to pay for their daily transportation survive a day? Jeepneys could be a simple transportation for
everyone of us, but we all know that it is an essential for Filipino commuters. However, there are still Filipinos
wondering how jeepneys started. A Filipino entrepreneur created the first automobile modified to seat more
passengers in 1932, utilizing cheap imported German DKW vehicles with side-entry carriages affixed. The DKW-AC
Company was in charge of these. Jeepneys, often known as jeeps, are minibus-style public utility vehicles that are the
most popular kind of public transportation in the Philippines. They are well-known for their crammed seating and
garish décor, which have become a widely recognized emblem of Philippine culture and art. A Sarao Jeepney was
displayed as a national symbol for Filipinos in the Philippine pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Jeepneys
have historically been an established form of public transportation in the Philippines. Millions of commuters benefit
from economical and convenient transit. Within the decades that passed by since the time jeepneys was invented,
transportation has become convenient for Filipinos, not only for the privileged ones but also for those who are not.

In year 2017, The "jeepney phase-out" refers to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP),
which was initially announced. Traditional jeepneys are deemed hazardous and environmentally destructive by the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). This declaration alarmed most netizen and drivers.
However, the jeepney phase-out was not implemented until the proposal was scrutinized and the higher-authorities
have decided to revise it. As years passed by, in year 2023, the LTFRB once again issued a Memorandum Circular
2023-013, which provides PUV operators until June 30, 2023, to join an existing consolidated operations or cease
operations. According to a concerned citizen, Alejandro Cartojano, “The demise of old age jeepneys would offer
various advantages, especially in terms of safety and environmental impact. One big impact would be a change to
safer and more comfortable modes of transportation, which would reduce the amount of accidents and injuries on the
roads.” Personally, I agree with the claims of this citizen because old jeepneys, according to my research, are really
not too safe to bring for so long because they are poorly maintained including their parts and engines. In addition to
that, the Philippine legislators, President and jeepney phase-out supporters believe that the demise of jeepneys would
decrease the detrimental environment effects of old-jeepneys. It is impossible to deny that our old and outdated
jeepneys have significantly contributed to air pollution on our highways. Old jeepney models emit a lot of carbon,
which has a negative impact on the climate and overall temperature. Carbon emissions will be reduced if the jeepneys
would be phased-out. Lastly, according to LTFRB, the traditional jeepneys are unsafe and environmentally damaging.
When travelling, it is too visible that the most smoke-pollution scattering on the road are coming from trucks and
traditional jeepneys. In that case, it no doubt that traditional jeepneys are really harmful not only to our environment,
but also for the health of each and every Filipino citizens. However, I personally believe that phasing out the
traditional jeepney is not the best solution, but to improve and modernize our jeepneys.
 ‘King of the Road”, that’s the iconic term that the Filipinos have named our traditional jeepneys. According to
my research, traditional jeepneys have been the Philippine’s oldest transportation and our nation has been well-known
for it. Most of the times, foreigners come to visit our homeland in order to experience riding on jeepneys and
travelling with one. However, due to the issues occurring in our homeland such as the climate change, rising record of
accidents and even the increasing rate of pollution; the higher-authorities are declaring the phase-out of jeepneys in
order to provide a better homeland for Filipinos and the foreigners who are paying visit in our nation. On the other
hand, a lot of people are arguing whether to demise the traditional jeepneys or not. Given the fact that traditional
jeepneys are the iconic transportation in the Philippines that excites tourists to visit our country, it is just so
understandable that Filipinos are against the declaration of jeepney phase-out. Moreover, jeepneys have become a
lifeline of jeepney drivers and their families. With the help of jeepneys, a lot of commuters are also capable of
trasporting from one place to another in an affordable and convenient manner. Nevertheless, there are still people who
support the jeepney-phase out because they believe that the traditional jeepneys are the cause of pollution in our
country and for a reason that they are worried that the old-jeepney are not so safe to bring anymore. If we’re talking
about opinions, there are really too much arguments and they all just make sense. However, in my case, I would stand
on neither. Personally, I would choose the traditional jeepneys to be improved and modernized, instead of phasing
them out.

If the traditional jeepneys have made a significant impact on our nation and to all Filipino citizens, then it is
better to modernize these jeepneys than to demise them. The national government, in fact, sees something larger-than-
life in the modernization effort that they believe will tremendously benefit the country. Old jeepneys are frequently
neglected, and their engines create significant amounts of pollution. Furthermore, they are not constructed to fulfill
modern safety regulations, putting passengers and other road users at risk. By retiring aging jeepneys, hazardous
emissions could be decreased, improving the country's air quality. While jeepneys serve an important role in the
country's transportation, a study conducted by the Blacksmith Institute and Clean Air Asia discovered that diesel-
powered jeepneys produce 15% of total particulate matter emissions in Metro Manila. If the traditional jeepneys
would be modernized, there would be an increase in opportunities for employment for new drivers and workers.
Considering jeepney modernization would demand competent vehicle manufacturing personnel for the production of
newer jeepney models, as well as new drivers, this means providing enhanced employment potential clients for our
countrymen. Furthermore, modifying the jeepneys could contribute to improve our roads by providing appealing and
brand-new jeepneys. Traditional jeepneys, while proving to be extremely sturdy, have lost their appeal due to their age
and shattered external parts. These jeepneys must be replaced not only for the purpose of modernization, but also for
the safety of commuters in the event that these ancient jeepneys break down on the road. Along with the benefits to
commuters, Transport Secretary argues that the modernization effort would result in more structured groups with
effective operations. It would also abolish the border system, allowing drivers to make more money in less working
hours. To make it simple, if modifying the traditional jeepneys would be implemented, then we can keep the ‘King of
the Road’ of Filipinos but in a safer and more convenient manner. The traditional jeepneys could be so important for
the Filipinos, however, it is also necessary to guarantee the safety of all commuters and even the drivers when
travelling. With that, I strongly believe that modifying the jeepneys is the best solution for the current issue than to
demise the jeepneys completely.
 To sum it all up, the jeepney phase-out is not really a must because this simply means completely demising
the iconic ‘King of the Road’ of the Philippines that has become a long-time pride of the Filipinos. If we only want
these jeepneys to be phased-out in order to guarantee the safety of the citizens and also to lessen the pollution in our
environment, then I strongly believe that modifying these traditional jeepneys is a better solution than demising them.
In fact, if the Philippines would implement this, it can even increase the employment rate in our country while
lessening the pollution in our environment, and at the same time to guarantee the safety of all the citizens commuting
on their daily basis. To put it simply, a jeepney modernization is what the country needs, not a jeepney phase-out.
Airish Pearl E. Gonzalo
STEM 11 - Carnelian

"Jeepney Phase Out " Jeepneys are the main forms of public transportation in the Philippines, but jeepneys
also age as years pass by, that's why the government pushes for the modernization of public transport vehicles.
However, the ordinary jeepney drivers and the commuter's perceptible in the effects and outcomes including, extreme
fare hikes and loss of livelyhood etc.

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is the government’sprogram designed to
provide the Filipino commuting public a “safe, adequate, comfortable, andenvironment-friendly road-based public
transportation system.” Under this program jeepneys operating for 15 years or more will be scraped and replaced by
the modern version of transportation.

One immediate effect of the jeepney phaseout is the loss of livelihood among the jeepney drivers. According
to the Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center (CBBRC), an estimation of 500,000 drivers and 300,000 operators will be
affected by the jeepney phaseout, while around two million family members will also be directly affected. This alone
shows the severity of theeffects of the phaseout, as the program will cause a massive unemployment among Filipino
drivers. Although the program is providing a loan and opportunities for these jeepney drivers.

It is hard for the jeepney drivers and it has a big effects and adjustments for them, because they're will have no
work, it will be hard for them how to handle the everyday life and how for them to be able to feed their families and
support ther childs. Also, it will have a big effects for the commuters because the fare in the jeepneys will not be the
same in modern vehicles.

There are Filipinos that agreed because they believe that modern vehicles will be must safer than jeepney and
also modern vehicles are air-conditioned. Also, there are people that disagree because, not all can afford the fare in
modern vehicles.

But for me, I am not agree on the Jeepney Phase Out because why? Me as a student I don't have that much
money when I go to school and I used to ride in the jeepneys. For me it has a better fare on jeepneys than modern
jeepneys. And when we talk about safety, for me the safety doesn't based on how modern or old your jeepneys or
transportation you are riding with, it's all about how careful the driver is.

In conclusion, the modernization of vehicles are still underdeveloped because they don't know if that should
be beneficial for Filipino residents. However, it is one of the governments responsibility to the people around them.
Which is why they should not focus only on the modernization but they must think about the drivers and also
commuters that will be affected by their decisions. In order to prevent the failure they need to study more about
jeepney phase out and also they must learn to support the local industry and they must understand first the situation of
every individual too.
Zyrelle Ann S. Atienza
STEM 11 - Carnelian

Jeepney Phase out Jeepney’s have long been a popular way of public transportation in the Philippines,
however these vehicles age and deteriorate over time, which is why the government advocates for the modernization
of public transit vehicles such as jeepneys. However, such a course of action ignores its core stakeholders: regular
jeepney drivers and passengers, as seen by the consequences and outcomes: job loss, inadequate public transportation,
and severe ticket rises. Because the modernization program does not completely meet the demands of the public, it is
unable to fulfill its obligations to the people and seems to be just another money-making plan aimed to bring in private
profit.

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a government program designed to provide
the Filipino commuting public with a "safe, adequate, comfortable, and environment-friendly road-based public
transportation system." Under this program, jeepneys that have been in service for 15 years or more will be scrapped
and replaced with more modernized versions, because the government views the old units as a danger to the public
and the environment, as well as a contributing factor to pollution. The program is also led by the Department of
Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Land
Transportation Office (LTO). In addition to jeepneys, the scheme includes buses and public utility vans as part of the
renovation plan. However, despite the government's good intentions with.

The loss of employment for jeepney drivers is one immediate consequence of the jeepney phaseout. The
jeepney phaseout will reportedly have an impact on an estimated 500,000 drivers, 300,000 operators, and almost two
million family members directly, according to the Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center (CBBRC). This alone
demonstrates the severity of the phaseout's impacts because the scheme will make a significant number of Filipino
drivers unemployed. The new jeepneys will still be too expensive and take a significant toll on the lives of the
borrowers as they struggle to pay the loans while still attempting to make ends meet, even if the program also includes
giving loans and chances for these drivers and operators. Transport groups think that drivers will continue to be
exploited and that it will only get worse.

Aside from this, the phaseout has resulted in limited public transportation, making commuting more
problematic for Filipinos. As part of the modernization initiative, the InterAgency Council on Traffic (i-ACT)
launched a campaign to inspect Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) and determine if they are still fit to drive. The program,
entitled "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok," intends to target noncompliant jeepneys.

Reference: The modernization plan is changing jeepney drivers’ lives forever (cnnphilippines.com)
Maas, Solaika Isobel M. 2nd Semester
STEM 11- Carnelian Reading and Writing Skills

Position Paper about Jeepney Modernization

Jeepneys have been iconic form of public transportation in the Philippines for decades. They provide
affordable and convenient transportation to millions of commuters. However, the traditional jeepney has long been
criticized for its outdated and unsafe design. Another of the biggest issues here, is its contribution to air pollution. In
response to these concerns, the Philippine government launched a modernization program. It aims to replace
traditional jeepneys with more eco-friendly and efficient models. However, there are many concerns about the
program that are still being debated by the LTFRB and jeepney drivers.

Many depend on jeeps not only commuters but also the families of jeepney operators and drivers. If the
government replaces what they say are eco-friendly jeepneys, where will they get the funds? Jeepney operators will
also have difficulty with the phasing out of jeepneys. With the worsening inflation rate around the world, especially in
our country, along with the increase in fuel and crude oil, why is the program being pushed? Who will really benefit?
Isn’t it the poor who can’t eat if they don’t sweep during the day? We can’t blame the operators and drivers for
implementing stoppages. Everyone is affected by the dispute over the program that the LTFRB wants to implement. Is
our society really like this, instead of raising the livelihood of every citizen, it seems to be dragged into poverty. Is
there no program that can truly help drivers who are trying to make a decent living for their families. There are many
ways to implement other eco-friendly programs that will not interfere or affect our transportation which is one of the
main aids in our daily life.

Equal treatment of every citizen and fair implementation of programs. Those sitting in the government should
be critical and wise in the implementation of any aspirations for our country. Think carefully if this will truly help and
lift our economy at the same time as taking care of mother nature. Wake up government! Wake up people!