Mayor backs jeep phase out

BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is backing calls for a jeepney modernization program.

Domogan said the concerns of President Rodrigo Duterte on the environment and the conditions of old jeepneys are valid saying fumes of the ve- hicles contribute to air pollution.

“Tama naman ang sinasabi ni presidente tungkol sa environment…. The old jeepneys really have to be replaced,” Domogan said.

Domogan said not all operators and drivers are opposed to the modernization and phase out of jeeps saying during the test phase of the new

units, he was told of the interest of groups to acquire the electronic jeepneys.

Domogan also cited safety concerns to old units plying the streets branding the units as running coffins. “When will we be ready to do this?” added the mayor.

The City Council however have backed groups opposing the phase out, issuing a resolution sent to the Senate enumerating disadvantages of the planned phase out of jeeps to the community.

“The fact that manufacturers of vehicles have not yet come up with a modern design for jeepneys which could be used in the mountainous terrain of the Cordilleras,” said the resolution.

Councilors said the condition of the roads in the city should be taken into consideration as well as the possible loss of jobs of hundreds of drivers as their operators may no longer be able to avail of the electronic or solar powered jeepneys due to cost.

Factoring in the inability of drivers to earn and pay for the daily boundary as operators and owners of the modernized jeepneys would likewise have to increase boundary to overcome the cost of the new jeepneys and the great reduction of the number of modern jeepneys to cater to the constituents of the city should all phased out, old or dilapidated jeepneys need to be replaced with the modern vehicles.

Aldermen also bemoaned the requirement of a minimum of 10 public utility jeepneys per operator and per franchise is not feasible to the operators considering the cost of the modern jeepneys.

Domogan said units will have to be attune to the terrain of the city and said proper adjustments will be made to pacify concerns of groups.