E-Jeepneys: Jump Aboard

Modernizing open utility jeepneys (PUJs) is viewed as one measure to address the absence of
mass vehicle units and the street clog in Metro Cebu. Lapu-Lapu City was blessed to have the main clump
of these cutting edge PUJs known as e-jeeps or electric, solar- powered jeepneys, in front of other
neighborhood government units (LGUs) in Cebu.

Yet, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan is dismissing the e-jeeps saying these would be handled
distinctly inside the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) territory all together not to dislodge the
multicabs and tricycles. There are approximately 4,000 tricycles enrolled in the city. Mayor Chan said he
would permit e-jeeps just inside Peza and not on the Mactan circumferential street. The administration
propelled the jeepney modernization program requiring the decommission of units that are 15 years or
more established, for supplanting with greater, more secure, progressively agreeable and modernized
units by June 2020.

One analysis of the program is it is "against poor." Drivers and little league administrators dread
they will be bankrupt since they can't bear the cost of substitution units and huge players will consume
the market. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board held formal reviews with
administrators and drivers to clarify the program and the idea of sorting out themselves into cooperatives.

It shows up that Mayor Chan isn't persuaded of the goal of the administration's modernization
activity. He gives more weight to the business worries of multicab and tricycle drivers, likely his voters,
than to the necessities of a large number of different workers, some of them additionally his voters.

Civic chairmen need to jump aboard now of the modernization and see to the program's execution
as Cebuanos are getting tired of street clog, dangerous rides and the absence of mass vehicle alternatives.
Blocking modernization denies suburbanites of the opportunity to see a conclusion to their day by day
battle. Modernization isn't the main solution for our transportation illness, yet it is one of a few solutions
government has recognized. Allow it to succeed.