Driving Towards a Greener Future:

Comparing the Costs

and Benefits

Research – Based Argumentative Essay about

Government E-Jeepney Project

By:
Ronaldo C. Dealca Jr.
Kristine Mae M. Salvatierra
 INTRODUCTION

What does modernization really mean? Does it need to disregard the

cultural or traditional element of an object if it does not meet the standards of
being modern? Moreover, in terms of modernization, do the potential
consequences really matter to be considered or should it just be ignored, especially
if it has good environmental impact?
Philippines recently undergo the issue of jeepney modernization project that
started at 2017 by President Duterte’s administration through the Department of
Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order No. 2017-011. The Jeepney is a
cultural heritage of our country and at some point, it became one of our country's
symbols as our main mode of transportation, is the focus of this project. The
government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) has a goal
of phasing out outdated, environmentally unfriendly, and accident prone
jeepney’s, to improve the overall status of our country’s public transportation. In
response to this, many commuters and local drivers have voiced their concern
regarding the impact of the project economically to them. Alongside this, the
concern between the benefits of the modernization project and its tangible cause
causes some discrepancy in the opinion of many people. While the project aims to
improve the overall environmental effect and safety of public transportation in our
country, the cost of 1.6 million to 2.8 million pesos for a single unit of government
approved modern jeepney’s, the affordability is a pressing matter for both
commuters and drivers.
In terms of the benefits and drawbacks of the modernization project,
phasing out cultural heritage, budget friendly mode of transportation and disrupt
the livelihood of many Filipinos is something that should not be overlooked or
justified solely based on environmental progress. This is a multifactored problem
and should be faced in a different manner.
BODY
A Filipino traditional jeepney is always known for its durability and
versatility, it also has a huge part of our culture. This transportation is one of the
most affordable, that is why many commuters treat it as their main mode of
transportation. On the other hand, a modern jeepney has a unique appearance
and increases security for its commuter and driver. Even though traditional
jeepney is still usable, it is still a fact that most of the jeepney’s are outdated and
need to be replaced. That is the reason why the government started the project
Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) where the main purpose
is to implement the current industry standards when it comes to transportation.
This includes the Euro IV emission standards were electric vehicle and combustion
engine vehicle must adhere to reduce the carbon emission of the current vehicles.
Another standard is the international safety standard where a jeepney should offer
a comfortable and safe seating capacity to avoid jeepney drivers would over pact
the passengers inside compromising their safety and comfortability.
This program aims to decrease the detrimental effect of older jeepneys on
our environment, offers new jobs for skilled workers and beautify our roads with
brand new jeepney. First is the detrimental effect of older jeepneys in the
environment, this is fact that none of the commuters, operators and drivers cannot
deny and that is most of the outdated traditional jeepneys are smoke belchers and
it is just about time to address the government address this problem. Next is to
offer jobs for skilled workers, now this involves advance manufacturing for the
unit of modern jeepney as well as that the jeepney should be handled by skilled
driver and operator. Last is the beautification of our roads with the new jeepney,
now modern jeepney holds a unique design and a lot more different than the
traditional jeepney. The government approved modern jeepney resembles a design
of minibuses. These aims are novel as it could but as it sounds the project has
multiple downfalls in terms of implementing and many other aspects like how it
would affect the livelihood of many Filipinos. One of them is that a cost for a single
unit is too much for a local diver to afford, a single unit of government approved
modern jeepney could cost around 1.6 million up to 2.8 million pesos this cost
raised many questions on how an average local driver would afford to invest in
such things. Next is that the effect of modern jeepney in the environment is so
minimal, it is a fact that the greenhouse gasses and carbon emission would be
reduce if the outdated jeepneys would be phase out, but the effect would be so
minimal because based on recent studies the traditional jeepney consume only the
2% of total number of vehicles on the road of our country. Last is that the lack of
jeepney would affect the commuters as well, as the program kept on being
implemented, with the cost of the unit easy transportation on the road will lessen
a lot making it harder for commuters to go to their respective destination.
 The government release a statement regarding these drawbacks of the
project, from the congress of the Philippine government “The iconic jeepneys have
long been a symbol of our nation's vibrant culture and enduring spirit. As we
embrace progress and innovation, it is imperative that we address the need for
modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport systems. The jeepney
modernization program is not just about upgrading vehicles; it's a comprehensive
plan to rejuvenate our urban transportation landscape, making it safer, more
reliable, and in tune with sustainable practices.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that at the heart of this modernization
are the jeepney drivers – the hardworking individuals who have been the backbone
of our local transport industry for decades. Their welfare is our primordial
concern. As we transition to modernized jeepneys, we recognize the challenges
faced by drivers and operators”. This article mostly covers the fact that the
problem of the divers and commuters with the modern jeepney is being studied
and considering the most appropriate response is being made by the government.
This article has been released by the congress on Jan 05, 2023. Even though the
government released a statement regarding these problems the transport group
Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) oppose
the project because it is not a reasonable price that the local drivers could afford.
One of the articles about this is “Piston slams June 30 jeepney phaseout order, says
minibuses worth P2.8-M burying operators in debt” (article by Philstar Global).
Despite the effort of the government to address those problems many still oppose
the idea of modernization of traditional jeepneys because a modern jeepney lost
its cultural sense, when the word jeepney is said it clearly depicts the image of
traditional jeepney in the mind of Filipinos but the modern jeepney has a design
of like a bus and many people questions it in a way that “Does losing your own
culture is alright in terms of modernization?”. The Public Utility Vehicle
Modernization Program (PUVMP) in overall is a great project and something that
should be really implemented in the future, but it is multifactored approach and
could not be implemented as easy as changing someone’s clothes, a modernization
project should be implemented if the government has this definition of modern
which includes road readiness, safety, stability, pollution resistance, and acceptable
pollution.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, phasing out traditional jeepneys and ending the livelihood

of many Filipinos, as well as affecting the commuters just to meet a standard
that our country is still not eligible to do so or do not have the capacity to do so
to quell environmentally friendly transportation does not justify the fact that
the sacrifices need to be done is too much for the people of this country this
approach is reasonable, but the method is not as the PISTON President
Floranda stated that they are not against the modernization They are against
the way the government transition things. So, phasing out jeepneys should not
be the main concern of the government right now, but it should be on how
making it as an acceptable and reasonable act for all the Filipinos benefitting
from it.
REFERENCES

Addressing the “Blind side” of the government’s jeepney ... (n.d.-a). https://cids.up.edu.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2022/02/UP-CIDS-Discussion-Paper-2021-02.pdf

Legaspi, Z. (2023, December 14). Piston fumes over Marcos’ alleged U-turn on jeepneys’ plight.
INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1875178/piston-chides-the-president-for-alleged-
change-of-mind-on-jeepneys-plight

Lumina.com.ph. (n.d.). https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/jeepney-modernization-

pros-and-cons/

Navigating the landscape of Jeepney Modernization | Philippine News Agency. (n.d.-b).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/opinion/pieces/813-navigating-the-landscape-of-jeepney-
modernization

Press and Public Affairs Bureau. (2024, January 5). Statement on jeepney modernization.
https://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=12835

Relativo, J. (2023, February 23). Piston slams June 30 jeepney phaseout order, says minibuses worth
P2.8-M burying operators in debt. Philstar.com.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/23/2247099/piston-slams-june-30-jeepney-
phaseout-order-says-minibuses-worth-p28-m-burying-operators-debt

Rey, A. (2018, February 19). Piston to Gov’t: Why phase out “deteriorated” jeepneys when the Mrt3
breaks down? RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/196389-piston-dotr-tanggal-
bulok-tanggal-usok-jeepneys-mrt3/