Suspend PUV modernization, support local jeep makers, gov’t urged

[Lee]

Quote

 

MANILA, Philippines — Experts from various sectors called for the indefinite suspension of the government’s  Public Utility Vehicle  Modernization Program (PUVMP)  and pointed out the need for recalibration to ensure a fair and orderly transition to a net-zero carbon future.

Dr. Ted C. Mendoza, a retired professor of Scientist II of the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños, currently serving as the Science Director at Community Legal Help and Public Interest Inc., asserted the appeal.

Joining in the plea are Dr. Rene Ofreneo, a professor emeritus and former dean at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations in UP Diliman and Dr. Antoinette R. Raquiza, a professor at the UP Diliman Asian Center and convenor at the Political Economy Program.

In a statement, the experts stressed that the agencies involved in the PUVMP’s implementation make it appear that steering away from traditional jeepneys is the main solution to de-clogging and reducing carbon pollution on the country’s main thoroughfares.

They, however, noted that in Metro Manila, jeepneys constitute only less than two percent of the total vehicles.

“Why single out the jeepneys when they constitute a minority in the vehicle population?,” the experts said.

Additionally, they questioned what they called turning a blind eye to the “carmaggedon” that is paralyzing vehicular traffic in Metro Manila.

“We join the Management Association of the Philippines in its call for the government to address this carmaggedon by prioritizing the development of mass public transport, particularly a comprehensive and well-designed rapid bus transit system,” they said.

“We also join the call of Sergio Luis-Ortiz, President of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, for the DOTr to postpone PUVMP implementation indefinitely while the central issue of a mass public transport system is not in place,” they added.

“Ineluctable” shift to more cars

With the impending reduction of traditional jeepneys plying the streets of the Metro, Mendoza, Ofreneo, and Raquiza said that it would ineluctably “incentivize” people to buy private vehicles while waiting for the PUVMP to deliver the modern jeepneys.

“Phasing out the jeepneys without an affordable alternative for the working class commuters will also have a domino effect on domestic businesses and the economy (e.g., raise cost of living and feed inflation),” they said.

Lack of plan and participation from relevant sectors

They also claimed that the PUVMP was “designed and is being implemented haphazardly due to the limited participation from the jeepney transportation sector, commuter groups, academia, and other stakeholders.”

The academes further identified the other downside of the PUVMP:

It allegedly goes against the United Nations Social Development Goal that “no one should be left behind” in any industrial or economic modification in response to the climate emergency

The suggested imported modern jeepneys are expensive, with a Chinese-made jeepney ranging from P2.5 to P3 million alone

The consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators into cooperatives or corporations that is  “not as a product of willing members enjoying equal rights in the association” is against the spirit of collectivism and would lead to all sorts of collective-action problems.

Golden opportunity for the local automotive industry

On the other hand, Mendoza, Ofreneo, and Raquiza said that the PUVMP could lead to the upgrade of the Philippines’ jeepney manufacturing industry and create thousands of jobs for local workers.

“The LTO-LTFRB-DOTr group, however, seems oblivious to this golden opportunity to grow our homegrown automotive industry,” they said.

“Unfortunately, our local jeepney producers cannot produce or assemble enough units at a faster rate. Initial estimates show that they can produce at most 5,000 units per year. Hence, it will take several years for Pinoy manufacturers to produce enough electric jeepneys for the country,” they added.

They are pushing that this low production problem can be solved if the government, through its financial institutions, helps build the local jeepney industry’s productive capacity.

Adopting a “more realistic” timetable for the roll-out of domestic jeepneys can also help, they said.

“We urge the government to adopt a pro-Filipino vehicle development framework that will support the local manufacture of e-jeepneys and, in the interim, allow for doable options such as retrofitting existing jeepneys with more fuel-efficient or hybrid engines. In so doing, jeepney modernization will help catalyze Philippine manufacturing as well as redound to the benefit of the riding public.”

 

 

Suspend PUV modernization, support local jeep makers, gov’t urged (msn.com)

[scott h]

31 minutes ago, Lee said:

“more realistic” timetable for the roll-out

They have had 5 years,,,and they are bringing all this out now? 14 days before the deadline? 

[BrettGC]

51 minutes ago, scott h said:

They have had 5 years,,,and they are bringing all this out now? 14 days before the deadline? 

All great points in the original article but as you say.....

[hk blues]

Whilst I fully appreciate the perspective of jeepney drivers/owners, the simple reality is they are a hazard on the road and the country needs to drag itself forward.  

[GeoffH]

1 hour ago, hk blues said:

Whilst I fully appreciate the perspective of jeepney drivers/owners, the simple reality is they are a hazard on the road and the country needs to drag itself forward.  

They could have modern vehicles that look like jeepneys with modern emmission standards whilst maintaining the traditional look (that's got to be somewhat important for tourism) and I gather they're cheaper than the imported vehicles.

So... save pesos, increase local manufacturing and provide more local jobs and arguably improve tourism, seems to me they have a good case.

 

But yes, this alternative should have been mentioned a long time ago IMHO.

[Viking]

7 hours ago, Lee said:

 

Suspend PUV modernization, support local jeep makers, gov’t urged (msn.com)

What this so called expert don't seams to understand, is that it doesn't matter that the jeepneys is only 2% of the total vehicles, because I am pretty sure that they "contribute" A LOT more than 2 % of the pollution from vehicles.

[Gator]

1 hour ago, GeoffH said:

But yes, this alternative should have been mentioned a long time ago IMHO.

I see it as either a last ditch effort by the Jeepny mafia or grounds for another extension the gov will use to ponder the “experts” assessment. 

[Lee1154]

The lack of logic in the so called "experts" and the fact that they actually have a degree says it all.  They cannot afford the new jeepneys but if forced to they will run out and buy a new automobile.  Really?  They actually believe that jeepney patrons can afford an automobile.  Which world are they living in?

[BrettGC]

24 minutes ago, Lee1154 said:

The lack of logic in the so called "experts" and the fact that they actually have a degree says it all.

All having a degree means is you have a piece of paper saying you can rote memorise and retain for a time whatever lecturers/texts are telling you and regurgitate it in a coherent (mostly) form.  Undergraduate and some coursework masters' that is. 

[Lee]

4 hours ago, Viking said:

What this so called expert don't seams to understand, is that it doesn't matter that the jeepneys is only 2% of the total vehicles, because I am pretty sure that they "contribute" A LOT more than 2 % of the pollution from vehicles.

Jeepneys certainly do pollute more than cars ----about 15 % of MNLs air pollution comes from jeepneys I recently read.

Getting rid of cars though---which might average 3 passengers per vehicle (which make up 98 % of Manilas vehicular traffic) and keeping jeepneys that might average 10 passengers per vehicle (which make up 2% of Manilas vehicular traffic) might make more sense if lowering the air pollution in Manila is truly the goal.

I suspect that money is the true driving force here----not the reduction of air pollution.