Old jeeps have until Dec. 31 to operate

President Duterte has given transport groups until the end of the year to comply with the government’s modernization program for public utility vehicles.

The President threatened to remove old dilapidated jeepneys from the streets by January, 2018, saying these run-down units were contributing to pollution that poses health risks to the public.

Duterte made a pitch for environmentfriendly PUVs and public health after the left-leaning Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) launched a two-day transport strike around the country in protest of the phaseout plan.

Duterte said the militant transport group was “poisoning the people” with their dilapidated jeepneys.

“I’ll give you until the end of the month or until the end of the year. Sumunod kayo because January 1, ‘pag may makita ako dyan mga jeep ninyo na hindi narehistro, luma, guguyurin ko yan sa harap ninyo [You should follow because January 1, if I see any unregistered and old jeeps, I will drag them away in front of you],” the President said during his visit to Camarines Sur.

“Kung gusto ninyo ng gulo, marami akong pulis. May training ako na Army na 20,000 [If you want trouble, I have many policemen. I am raining 20,000 Army troops],” he added.

The President issued the warning after criticizing Piston for refusing to upgrade to new and environment-friendly PUV units. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)