The Malacañang has denied reports that the jeepney modernisation programme is “anti-poor”.
The claim was made by various transport groups after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the phasing-out of jeepneys over 15 years old will start next month. The programme is expected to take three years.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured drivers that they will not be forced out of business by the scheme.
“We assure Filipino jeepney drivers that this initiative of the government to improve our public transport sector will not put them out of business,” he said.
“It was not designed to phase out jeepneys. In fact, the programme aims to strengthen and guarantee the profitability of the jeepney business.”
He added that the government will provide funds to help people involved in the transport business upgrade their vehicles.
Furthermore, the Department of Finance is offering loans on generous terms on top of a 80,000-peso subsidy on the downpayment for new vehicles.
Groups representing jeepney drivers have staged a number of nationwide strikes this year to protest at what they see as a threat to the livelihoods. On occasion, these actions forced the Malacañang to suspend classes and government offices.
Despite this opposition, the government maintains that the jeepney modernisation programme is long overdue.
The strikes also angered President Duterte, who threatened to destroy the jeepneys himself. He also said that he did not care if jeepney drivers and operators were poor.
However, despite these harsh words, the government now hopes that Filipinos will rally behind the modernisation programme.
Under the programme, jeepneys 15 years and older will be replaced by electric-powered or Euro 4 compliant vehicles.
Euro 4 is a set of emission standards on particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
Jeepneys are currently powered by Euro 2-compliant engines.
Other proposed specifications include closed-circuit television cameras, a GPS navigation system, automatic fare collection system, dash cameras and Wi-Fi.
The program was officially launched on June 19. Supporters see it as a vital part of decongesting the traffic-choked streets of the country’s urban areas.