Drivers, operators fear traditional jeepney phaseout | The Final Word

NewsWatch Plus PH

22 Feb 202303:11

Summary

TLDRThe Philippine Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has mandated a modernization program for jeepneys, with old models' franchises valid only until June 30. Operators must join a transport cooperative or form their own to manage modern jeepneys, which are unaffordable for many at over 2 million pesos. A franchise extension until December 31, 2023, is offered, but operators are urging the government to support local manufacturing to make modern jeepneys more accessible, aiming to comply with regulations while providing for their families.

Takeaways

📜 The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a directive affecting traditional jeepney operations in the Philippines.
🗓️ Old jeepneys' franchise validity is extended only until June 30 for those not participating in the government's modernization program.
🚗 Jeepney operators must join a transport cooperative or form their own to manage modern jeepneys they will acquire as part of the modernization program.
📉 For operators like Victor Arellano, there is no existing cooperative among jeepney operators on their route.
📅 By October 31, the franchise of traditional jeepneys will be further extended until December 31, 2023.
🚫 Traditional jeepneys will no longer be allowed to operate after the end of 2023.
💵 The cost of a modern jeepney, which is over 2 million pesos, is a significant financial burden for many operators.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Operators like Arellano struggle to afford modern jeepneys and are still recovering from the costs of purchasing second-hand jeepneys.
🔄 The jeepney operators' group is urging the government to find a local manufacturer that can provide a modern version of the traditional jeepney at a more affordable price.
🏭 The group acknowledges the need to comply with the modernization rules, with the ultimate goal of providing a decent life for their families.
📺 The report is from CNN Philippines, highlighting the challenges faced by jeepney operators in the country.

Q & A

What is the deadline for the validity of old Jeeps according to the LTFRB directive?
-The validity of old Jeeps is only up to June 30, as per the latest directive of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
What is required of Jeepney operators if they fail to participate in the government's modernization program?
-If operators fail to participate in the modernization program, they need to join a transport Cooperative or form their own to manage the modern jeepneys they will acquire.
What is the situation with Victor Arellano regarding the transport Cooperative?
-There is no existing Cooperative among the jeepney operators playing their route, as mentioned in the case of Victor Arellano.
What is the extension date for the franchise of traditional jeepneys if operators do not join the modernization program by October 31?
-The franchise of their traditional jeepneys will be extended up to December 31, 2023.
Why is it difficult for operators like Victor Arellano to afford a modern jeepney?
-It is difficult for operators like Victor Arellano to afford a modern jeepney because it costs over 2 million pesos, which is significantly more than the 75,000 pesos he spent on a second-hand jeepney two years ago.
What is the financial situation of Victor Arellano regarding his jeepney investment?
-Victor Arellano has not yet recovered the 75,000 pesos he spent to buy a second-hand jeepney and is still struggling to meet the needs of his family.
What is the government's POV modernization program?
-The POV modernization program is a government initiative aimed at modernizing public transport vehicles, such as jeepneys, to improve safety and efficiency.
What is the group's suggestion to the government regarding the high cost of modern jeepneys?
-The group is calling on the government to find ways to have a local manufacturer that can give the traditional jeepney a modern twist at a more affordable price.
What is the ultimate goal of the jeepney operators in complying with the modernization rules?
-The ultimate goal of the jeepney operators in complying with the modernization rules is to have a means to provide their families a decent life.
What is the current status of traditional jeepneys in terms of operation after December 31, 2023?
-After December 31, 2023, the so-called king of Philippine roads, traditional jeepneys, will no longer be allowed to ply their routes if they have not joined the modernization program.
How does the jeepney operators' group view the compliance with the modernization rules?
-The group acknowledges that there's nothing wrong in trying to comply with the rules, as it is part of their effort to improve their livelihood and provide for their families.

Outlines

00:00

🚌 Jeepney Modernization Mandate

The Philippine Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a directive that affects traditional jeepney operators. The directive states that the franchise validity of old jeepneys will only be extended until June 30, and operators must participate in the government's modernization program. If they fail to do so, they must join a transport cooperative or form their own to manage modern jeepneys. For operators like Victor Arellano, who has no existing cooperative, this poses a significant challenge. The extension of the franchise until December 31, 2023, provides a brief respite, but the transition to modern jeepneys, which cost over 2 million pesos, is financially daunting for many operators. The jeepney operators' group is calling on the government to support local manufacturing that can modernize the traditional jeepney at a more affordable cost, emphasizing the importance of providing for their families and complying with the new regulations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Dispatch Drivers

Dispatch drivers are individuals responsible for delivering goods or passengers to their destinations. In the context of the video, they are discussing the impact of new regulations on their traditional jeepney operations. The term is central to understanding the challenges faced by those whose livelihoods are directly affected by the modernization program.

💡Face Out

The term 'face out' is not explicitly defined in the transcript, but it likely refers to the need for traditional jeepney operators to adapt or face the consequences of not complying with new regulations. It is a critical concept in the video as it highlights the urgency for operators to consider joining a transport cooperative or forming their own.

💡Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

The LTFRB is a government agency responsible for regulating public transportation in the Philippines. The video script mentions the LTFRB's latest directive, which sets the validity of old jeepney franchises to June 30, emphasizing the role of this regulatory body in shaping the future of public transportation in the country.

💡Franchise Validity

Franchise validity refers to the period during which a business license or permit is valid. In the video, the LTFRB's directive indicates that the validity of old jeepneys is limited, forcing operators to either join a modernization program or face the end of their operations by a certain date.

💡Modernization Program

The modernization program mentioned in the script is a government initiative aimed at updating the public transportation system, specifically targeting the upgrade of traditional jeepneys to more modern and efficient vehicles. It is a key theme in the video as it represents the central conflict faced by jeepney operators.

💡Transport Cooperative

A transport cooperative is a collective organization of transport operators that manage and operate their services together. In the video, joining a transport cooperative or forming one is presented as a solution for jeepney operators to comply with the modernization program and continue their operations.

💡Victor Arellano

Victor Arellano is an individual mentioned in the script who represents the jeepney operators facing the challenges of the modernization program. His situation illustrates the financial burden and the struggle to afford a modern jeepney, which costs significantly more than the traditional ones.

💡King of Philippine Roads

The term 'King of Philippine Roads' is a colloquial reference to jeepneys, which are iconic in the Philippines. The video script uses this term to emphasize the cultural significance of jeepneys and the impending change they face due to the modernization program.

💡Franchise Extension

A franchise extension refers to the prolongation of the validity period of a franchise permit. In the script, it is mentioned that by October 31, the franchise of traditional jeepneys will be extended to December 31, 2023, providing a brief reprieve for operators to prepare for the transition.

💡Local Manufacturer

The script discusses the high cost of modern jeepneys and suggests that a local manufacturer could potentially produce more affordable, modernized versions of traditional jeepneys. This concept is important as it represents a proposed solution to make the modernization program more accessible to operators.

💡Compliance

Compliance in this context refers to adhering to rules, regulations, or standards set by authorities. The video script highlights the operators' willingness to comply with the LTFRB's directives, despite the challenges, to ensure they can continue to provide for their families.

Highlights

Drivers are discussing the upcoming phase-out of traditional jeepneys based on the latest directive of the LTFRB.

The franchise validity of old jeepneys is limited to June 30 for those not participating in the government's modernization program.

Operators must join a transport cooperative or form their own to manage modern jeepneys they will acquire.

For operators like Victor Arellano, there is no existing cooperative among jeepney operators on their route.

By October 31, the franchise of traditional jeepneys will be extended up to December 31, 2023.

After December 31, 2023, traditional jeepneys will no longer be allowed to ply their routes.

Victor Arellano has not yet recovered the 75,000 pesos spent on a second-hand jeepney two years ago.

It is impossible for Arellano to afford a modern jeepney costing over 2 million pesos.

Operators are encouraged to use the franchise validity extension to prepare for joining the POV modernization program.

The high price of modern jeepneys is a concern for operators, prompting calls for local manufacturing solutions.

The jeepney operators' group advocates for a modern twist to the traditional jeepney through local manufacturing.

Compliance with the rules is seen as necessary for operators to provide a decent life for their families.

The jeepney modernization program aims to replace old jeepneys with modern, safer, and more efficient vehicles.

The LTFRB's directive is causing financial strain and uncertainty among jeepney operators.

The jeepney operators' group is seeking government support to make the modernization program more accessible.

The transition to modern jeepneys is a significant change for the Philippine transportation landscape.

The jeepney operators are facing challenges in adapting to the new regulations and financial requirements.

The story highlights the human impact of policy changes on small-scale operators in the transportation sector.