Among the many many public transportation automobiles within the Philippines, just one represents the colourful cultural heritage of the Filipinos: jeepneys. Jeepneys, additionally known as as public-utility jeepneys (PUJ), are the preferred type of transportation based on analysis (Westerman, 2018). It exemplifies the resourcefulness and the creativity of the Filipinos by means of pious and exquisite artwork creations painted, drawn, and/or written on its exterior, “usually depicting household portraits, non secular icons, sceneries, film and anime characters, dream automobiles, and dream ladies (Ragodon, 2017, para. eight).” Jeepneys exhibit an enormous Philippine historical past, current to not merely serve the Filipinos but additionally to share the fantastic thing about a Filipino’s values.
Jeepneys are an immense assist to mankind. To be able to experience it, one will need to have only some cash in his/her pocket due to its low-cost fare (eight php). This fare advantages each the prosperous and poor sectors of society. Riders go their cost ahead for it to achieve the driving force—a course of that encourages abnegation and honesty among the many riders which reveals and develops “Filipino hospitableness”, a high quality that’s typically acknowledged by non-Filipinos. Furthermore, Jeepneys have a boundless variety of routes, making it extra handy for riders to achieve far locations.
Though jeepneys profit the Filipinos in varied methods, it additional worsens the present state of the Philippines. Jeepneys rely upon transformed elements and damaging diesel, contributing to the Philippines’ intense visitors and air pollution issues (Gregorio, 2018, para. Four). It emits dangerous gases that will have an effect on folks, vegetation, animals, and the environment—all of which can completely have an effect on the setting detrimentally.
Moreover, jeepneys put the welfare of its driver and riders in danger. Except for permitting its riders to inhale harmful gases (notably carbon dioxide), jeepneys present a “soiled, uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe strategy to journey (“Jeepneys simply a part of the issue”, 2017, para. 1)”. Riders must battle being squished in a tight-spaced, rectangular seat with none safety from the smoke that enters the car by means of its home windows. Whereas riders are direct victims of dangerous air, a World Financial institution report reveals that Jeepney drivers are direct victims of dangerous air, being the main victims of air air pollution within the yr 2002 (as cited in Crisostomo, 2003, para. 1).
As well as, growing gas prices resulting from financial inflation impacts jeepney drivers. For a excessive gas price that lasts for a couple of days, jeepney drivers must sacrifice a portion of their irregular revenue with the intention to pay the stated price. Castillo (2017) said the next:
Beneath the present system the common gross venue of a jeepney driver could be round P4,000 a day. Take away about P1,000 for gas, P600 for operator boundary or driver wage, and upkeep prices racking up P400. The motive force would then be left with P2,000, working for roughly 16 to 18 hours a day. (para. Four)
Except for affected by these, jeepney drivers additionally undergo from the poor design of the car as confirmed by a research administered by the School of Engineering of the College of the Philippines Diliman (Tantiangco, 2016, para. 1). As a result of his/her space contained in the jeepney is slim, small, and restricted, the jeepney driver experiences well being points and discomfort. He/she chooses to neglect this downside, nevertheless, “just because there can be financial prices in fixing these issues and since they’ve grown accustomed to those situations (Tantiangco, 2016, para. 5). ”
To fight these jeepney issues, the Division of Transporation issued Division Order No. 2017-011, also called the Public Utility Car Modernization Program (PUVMP), “a flagship program of the Duterte administration which envisions a restructured, fashionable, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector the place drivers and operators have steady, ample and dignified livelihoods whereas commuters get to their locations shortly, safely and comfortably,” as outlined by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) (para. 1). This program goals to switch jeepneys (in addition to buses and utility vans) 15 years previous or older with newly improved “modernized” PUVs which are secure, moral, and environmental- and cost-friendly.
Two sorts of jeepneys can be used for the jeepney modernization: electrical jeeps and Euro-Four compliant jeeps, each of that are well-designed for the consolation of its passengers. Although the brand new, modernized jeepneys permit 20 to 22 riders to sit down inside it, the riders wouldn’t need to squeeze one another in with the intention to match. Home windows are lined and a few PUVs have an air conditioner. These are a few of the new changes the federal government has added for the consolation and advantage of the riders.
To account for the safety and security of the jeepney riders, the brand new PUVs have been put in with CCTVs, GPS, and velocity limiters based on Flores (2017, para. 20). Flores (2017) additionally stated that individuals with disabilities (PWD) “may have simpler entry (para. 20)”, versus the previous jeepneys that don’t give a lot entry to PWDs; “security officers can be assigned (para. 20)”. Riders could now experience PUVs to their hearts content material, assured that their security is prioritized.
The modernized PUV doesn’t solely profit its riders, it’ll additionally profit its driver. Castillo (2017) stated that “price could be minimize considerably and drivers can take residence extra… All these are resulting from brand-new engines that require much less upkeep (para. 5).” The earnings of a driver will increase.
Because the Philippine authorities instills the PUV modernization progam, jeepney drivers could have a troublesome time adapting as a result of required cost of the brand new jeepney—800 php a day. The federal government, nevertheless, has promised to present subsidy to the drivers (CNN Philippines employees, 2018, para. 13) and has partnered with Landbank and DBP with the intention to support in carrying the funds (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, n.d., para. Four). PUV drivers are to be engaged in coaching periods that can equip them with the information they want (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, n.d., para. Four).
The Philippines will develop additional as nation if public transportation works for the good thing about its residents. With modernized PUVs, Filipinos could be higher taken care of and guarded—bodily and emotionally—surrounded by an setting that displays its coronary heart and helps nature.