Philippine modernisation programme imperils ‘King of the Road’
manila — The Philippines’ iconic passenger jeepney, once regarded as Manila’s ‘King of the Road,’ is chugging towards change and uncertainty.
A remnant of World War II, the gaudily decorated jeepneys evolved from the U.S. military jeeps that American forces left behind after the war. The vehicles were modified and reproduced by Filipinos, and for decades were their most popular mode of land transport, becoming a daily showcase of Philippine culture on wheels.
Atop the jeepney’s hood stands a horse emblem in chrome, with the vehicle’s body wrapped in vibrant colours and all sorts of artwork, ads and mundane slogans.
Running on diesel engines, jeepneys, with their low fares, have been the choice transport of working-class Filipinos. But they have also had a major downside: The dark fumes coughed out by thousands of jeepneys have been blamed for Manila’s notoriously polluted air.
Now, a Philippine government modernisation programmeme aims for a major makeover of the jeepney and other modes of public transportation by improving their engines, safety and convenience. Ageing jeepneys must go or be outfitted with cleaner engines, Wi-Fi and security cameras in an overhaul that poor Filipino drivers and owners say they can’t afford.
George San Mateo, who leads a group of drivers and owners called Piston, said the government programme would displace more than 600,000 drivers and 250,000 owners and jack up fares. With new jeepneys costing between 1.2 million and 1.6 million pesos ($23,000-$31,000), San Mateo complained that drivers have not been offered a concrete financial assistance scheme by the government.
Drivers have protested, but they got a warning from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after staging a two-day strike last month.
“By January 1, if I see any jeep of yours which has not been registered, I’ll drag them away in front of you,” the tough-talking president said.
“It is given that every time there is change, there is resistance,” said Aileen Lizada of the government’s Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board. The government, she said, will convince drivers and owners that the programme will actually benefit them, the public and the environment.
Ed Sarao, whose family’s Sarao Motors Inc. is among the most popular jeepney manufacturers in the Philippines, said the company is awaiting the enforcement of the modernisation programme amid resistance. “Right now people are still clamoring for the traditional jeepney,” Sarao said. —