[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’RURAL UPDATE ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY JOHNNY NOVERA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Approved jeepney modernization anti-poor?
WE HAVE written two articles on the so-called Jeepney Modernization Plan being considered by the present administration.
The first one was on March 2, 2017 titled Replace Manila jeepneys with Ilollo models. We mentioned of Iloilo’s passenger jeep capacity at 16 adults, excluding the driver, but we found out when we rode on one last week that the Iloilo jeepney could actually seat comfortably eight on each side, plus two in front or a total of 18 passengers, excluding the driver.
In our second article on July 4, 2017, The jeepney again, we were happy to note that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for help to come up with guidelines on the standardization of the jeepney vehicles on our roads.
Although DOTr already had a design which it endorsed to DTI for study, there was a press briefing called by DTI undersecretary Ernesto V. Perez to ask first for feedbacks on the proposal up to Aug. 5, 2017, before finally adopting it.
We then expressed the view that Manila jeepney operators must first see the Iloilo-type jeepneys that we use here especially the one produced at Villa de Arevalo District in Iloilo City.
We wonder if the local DTI Office has read our article and made effort to bring to Usec. Perez’s attention the Ilonggo jeepney model before the decision to finally endorse the costly Manila-type model manufactured by a big business conglomerate priced reportedly at P1 -1.2 Million.
We are convinced of the capability of Iloilo to produce the jeepneys and meet the demand, as well as on the quality of our type of vehicle which has been running in our streets for several years with satisfactory performance.
We expressed the wish that Usec. Ernesto V. Perez of DTI would take note of our feedback.
However, with Usec. Perez holding office in Makati, Metro Manila, it would have been the duty of DTI Iloilo to bring up to their Main Office important comments on issues like this for their Secretary or Under-Secretary’s attention. Did they?
Even if they didn’t, it is not yet too late yet for DTI to reconsider the decision and allow other participants in the jeepney modernization program to come in. Anyway, the shift from the old jeepney models will not come until January 2018, as declared by the President.
To remove criticisms of DTI’s allegedly anti-poor policy of awarding the job to one single big manufacturer, the government should open the supply to the Iloilo-made models that can cost only half the price and at least give jeepney operators a choice.
Will DTI please reconsider? (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
