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POSITION PAPER

#JEEPNEYPHASEOUT DILEMMA: Is Jeepney Should Be Modernize Or Preserve?

Locally referred to as a jeepney or jeep, this interesting-looking vehicle is an affordable

mode of Philippine public transport. With designated routes, which are usually painted on their
sides or displayed on their windshields, jeepneys stop anywhere along the way to pick up or let
off passengers. Jeepney is a part of Philippine culture and a testament to the creativity of the
Filipino people. But recently when the government implemented a program named Public Utility
Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) wherein this program aims to remove jeepneys,
buses, and other public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old and replace them with more
modern and comfortable alternatives that causes the Philippines’ signature to face a threat to its
existence. While the program aims to improve the country’s public transportation system, the
program sparked debate and protests among millions of Filipinos even on media.

As a Filipino citizen, I strongly argue that the phase out of jeepneys is not the best
solution to the problems of public transportation in the Philippines. The jeepney is not only a
means of transportation but also a signature of Filipino heritage. It has become an integral part of
the country’s culture and has provided a source of livelihood for many drivers and operators. I
believe as a Filipino citizen, jeepney is not only a means of transport, but also a means of
expression and empowerment of our country, the Philippines. It deserves to be preserved, not
phased out.

One main reason why jeepney shouldn’t be removed is that jeepney is a low-cost and
accessible mode of transportation that serves millions of commuters, especially the poor and
marginalized. A survey in a news website named philstar states that the top five transport modes
in some commuters in the Greater Metro Manila Area are traditional jeepneys (52%), buses
(29%), trains (18%), UV Express (11%), and modern jeepneys (10%). Placing jeepneys with
more expensive and less available alternatives would burden the drivers and passengers with
higher fares and fewer routes.

Next, if this plan will continue, it will create a huge impact to the jeepney drivers and
operators from financially to lifelihood displacement. According to a report from a news website
named INQUIRER.NET, the cost of acquiring a modern jeepney unit ranges from P1.6 million
to P3 million, which is beyond the reach of many small operators. They also need to form
cooperatives, secure loans, and pay for registration, maintenance, and parking fees. During the
hearing of the House committee on transportation, 1-Rider Party-list Representative Bonifacio
Bosita says in Filipino, “If we compute this, Mr. Chair, our drivers need to hit a target of more or
less P4,000 to P5,000 per day – that’s without what they need to earn for their livelihood. And if
we say that drivers are hardworking and even endure hunger, they would need to have a P1,500
to P2,000 per day income for themselves,”. The government offers some subsidies, loans, and
tax incentives, but these may not be enough to cover the expenses. Some drivers and operators
may lose their source of income if they cannot afford or access the modern jeepneys. They may
also face competition from other transport modes, such as buses, trains, and ride-hailing services.
The government provides some livelihood funds and skills training, but these may not be
sufficient or suitable for all affected workers.

School: Tampilisan National High School

Address: Poblacion, Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte
Contact No.: 09171152136
Email Address:tampilisannhsmain@gmail.com
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POSITION PAPER

Lastly, Jeepney is a cultural icon that reflects the Filipino ingenuity, creativity, and
identity. This signature is already shown in different platforms. Some example is when our
Mister Earth International Philippines 2023 Mark Avendaño wears a Jeepney costume for
National Costume during 8th Mister Global which becames Best National Costume. Also a K-pop
girl group Momoland features a jeepney in their song “BAAM” music video. It is also shown in
films, art, media, book, or even games. Phasing out jeepneys would erase a significant part of the
nation’s history and heritage.

With the country’s fast development and economic growth, some experts says that old-
model jeepneys have become the main contributor to air pollution and traffic congestion in the
cities. According to the Manila Aerosol Characterization Experiment (MACE) study, jeepneys,
which account for 20% of the total vehicle fleet, are responsible for 94% of the soot particle
mass in Metro Manila, with 2000 times higher emissions compared to the EURO 6 standard for
diesel in Europe. However, implementing PUVMP will never solve this issue as there are also
other factors that contribute to this problem, such as the lack of efficient mass transit systems,
urban planning, road infrastructure, vehicle regulation, unauthorized factories, etc. Jeepney is not
the main cause of traffic congestion and air pollution in the country. Phasing out jeepneys would
not solve these issues, but rather shift the blame to the small operators and jeepney drivers.

To sum up everything, implementing PUVMP will never solve the problems of public
transportation in our country as it will create a negative social, cultural, and economic impacts on
the jeepney sector and to million of Filipinos especially to jeepney commuters. If this program
will continue, the cultural icon of the Philippines will be lost forever. Instead of phasing out the
jeepneys, the government should work with the jeepney sector to upgrading the engines of the
old jeepneys implementing stricter regulations and promoting cultural heritage. By doing so, the
government can create a win-win solution to providing safe, comfortable, and sustainable public
transportation, while also preserving the jeepney as a signature of Filipino creativity . I believe as
a Filipino citizen the jeepney is our life, our culture, our pride !

School: Tampilisan National High School

Address: Poblacion, Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte
Contact No.: 09171152136
Email Address:tampilisannhsmain@gmail.com
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POSITION PAPER

SOURCES:
Agaton, C. B., Guno, C. S., Villanueva, R. O., & Villanueva, R. O. (2019). Diesel or electric
Jeepney? A case study of transport investment in the Philippines using the Real Options
approach. World Electric Vehicle Journal, 10(3), 51.
https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj10030051
Commuter group: Most Filipino commuters say waiting time too long, PUV supply lacking.
(1970, January 1). Philstar.com.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/19/2196498/commuter-group-most-filipino-
commuters-say-waiting-time-too-long-puv-supply-lacking/amp/
Francisco, M. a. S. (2021, January 6). Jeepney modernization: Road paved with difficulties, debt,
danger. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/07/21/jeepney-
modernization-road-paved-with-difficulties-debt-danger
Kecorius, S., Madueño, L., Vallar, E., Alas, H. D. C., Betito, G., Birmili, W., Cambaliza, M. O.,
Catipay, G., Gonzaga-Cayetano, M., Galvez, M. C., Lorenzo, G., Müller, T., Simpas, J.
B., Tamayo, E. G., & Wiedensohler, A. (2017). Aerosol particle mixing state, refractory
particle number size distributions and emission factors in a polluted urban environment:
Case study of Metro Manila, Philippines. Atmospheric Environment, 170, 169–183.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.09.037
Lalu, G. P. (2024, January 11). Modern jeepneys’ cost may push drivers to earn P6K daily –
solon. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1887140/modern-jeepneys-high-cost-
may-press-drivers-to-earn-p6k-a-day-lawmaker
Villamente, M. R. a. J. (2024, January 4). LTFRB: P50 minimum PUV fare impossible. Daily
Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2024/01/ltfrb-p50-minimum-puv-fare-impossible/
What is a Jeepney | Philippines Number 1 Cheap Transportation. (2022, June 6). Etramping.
https://etramping.com/what-is-jeepney/

School: Tampilisan National High School

Address: Poblacion, Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte
Contact No.: 09171152136
Email Address:tampilisannhsmain@gmail.com