Manufacturers of modern public utility vehicles on Tuesday converged in Tagbilaran City to showcase the PUVs of the future or those compliant with the PUV modernization program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Different brands and types of modern PUVs, which are at least Euro-4 compliant, were displayed through the Modern PUV Caravan at the Bohol Cultural Center where over 200 local drivers, operators and members of transport cooperatives trooped to view the vehicles.
Retired Col. Eduardo Montealto Jr., regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7, said that the vehicles were brought in for the local transport groups and stakeholders to view and examine the units which they may procure in line with the modernization program.
“These are the prototype jeeps, these will be the units na pilion sa mga cooperatives, corporations ug kinsa na grupo gusto mo palit. Mao gidisplay ni nila karon para dili na hilanglan mo adto pa og Manila ang atong interested groups, sila na ang atong dealers ug manufacturers atong gipaanhi,” Montealto said.
According to Montealto, the PUV modernization is slated for full implementation in June 2020.
“By 2020, wala nay mo dagan na bulok-bulok, aso na jeepney anang panahona. Ilisan nato na og modern,” he said.
The modernized PUVs are replete with gadgets and features for the improved safety and comfort for passengers including an air-conditioning system, free Wi-Fi and an automatic fare collection system, among others.
Prices for the modern vehicles range from P900,000 to P2.2 million.
Eligible operators and cooperatives may avail of loans through the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines with 6 percent interest per annum for the seven-year amortization of a modern PUV.
The government will also provide an P-80,000 subsidy per unit.
“Gaan na kaayo…sa loan ang kasagaran, 8 to 11 percent ang interest rate. Pag commercial business, commercial transportation, dapat ana three years to pay lang,” he said.
The LTFRB official said that the program’s implementation should no longer be postponed considering that the modern PUVs improve safety for passengers and, with lesser smoke emission, are more eco-friendly.
“Dili na pwede na atong pasagdan ang atong seguridad ug safety…ang pollution grabe kaayo ni sila. Siguro mga after World War II, kini atong mga jeepney mao pa niy gadagan karon. Mo-linkod ka naay mo tusok nimo na alambre, aso itom kaayo. Dili na na pwede nato e-delay,” he said. (R. Tutas)