Marcos urged to suspend jeepney phaseout

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.TMT file photo

FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend the phaseout of jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“This is not only for humanitarian reasons due to the drivers and operators who cannot pay the monthly amortization of modern jeepneys but also for the millions of commuters who will find it difficult to commute because of a lack of mass transportation, and eventually, they would bear the more expensive modern jeepneys fares,” Trillanes said in Filipino on a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“The only feasible way modernization can push through is by subsidizing at least 50 percent of the cost of modern jeepneys. This way, it will not burden operators and commuters. If this cannot be done, there is no choice but to implement a slow phase out,” Trillanes added.

The April 30 deadline for consolidation of PUVs was met by protests from transport groups, including Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide and Manibela.

Manibela National President Mar Valbuena welcomed Trillanes’ proposal.

“I believe the former senator’s call is sincere and compassionate toward our jeepney operators and drivers, as well as the millions of commuters who rely on public transportation,” Valbuena said in Filipino on a Facebook post.