Jeepney Phase Out
In the current era the word “CHANGE” is common to human, as it leads us to the modern
generation. But the question is, does these changes will provide a greater contribution to the
majority or those will serves as a multiple negative impact ? Jeepneys as one of the vehicles in the
Philippines and were also recognized as the “King of the Road” considering that it is the main
transportation for everyone. In addition, Gregorio (2018), said that jeepneys in the Philippines had
been created after the World War II, since the American Army left out their war jeeps, that’s why
the local producer think an idea of establishing and expanding the capacity of the jeeps in carrying
passengers, which suggest the Philippines to create transportational jeepneys to entrance. The
historical creation of the jeepneys as a vehicles for transportation are fundamental modernizing
jeepneys at this point, could give burden in majority especially to those jeepney drivers.
The Jeepney Modernization Program of Public Utility Vehicle (PUV), is a huge issue in the
country for the reason that it will affect all people in the philippines. This jeepney transformation
will negatively influence jeepney drivers in terms of their financial stability, their income for being
jeepney drivers, with their job opportunities or skills of driving, and their capability to buy a
modernized jeepney. According to Savilla, J. et al (2024), there’s a consideration needed in jeepney
driver’s financial needs, individuality and work opportunities, it is based from their perceptions in
answering 4-point likert scale that showed significant disagreement on the jeepney modernization
program, including the conflict of the jeepney drivers in the accessibility and affordability of iconic
jeepneys as a mode of public transportation for Filipinos and despite potential benefits, significant
opposition persists, particularly from drivers who view their profession as more than a job,
investing time and energy into the world of jeepneys. The modernization of jeepneys will also
affects the commuters with their daily lives, this can be positive for them but it will also include
the amount of unpleasant impact for them in terms of increasing their daily fare. According to
Dimalanta, R. et al (2021), the commuters moaning on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization
Program (PUVMP) for increasing the minimum fare for the adjustment in the transitioning of
ordinary jeepney towards the modern jeepney. Lastly, jeepney modernization or the jeepney-phase-
out would sincerely affect the culture of the Philippines in terms of the traditional jeepney, since it
is the main transportation of the majority specially the Pilipino’s people and for the reason that the
culture of one’s country should preserved and represent in the society to keep it alive, whatever
the changes happen. Jeepneys as a mode of public transportation for Filipinos play a crucial role
in their day-to-day living. Baltazar, M.E., et al (2024) said that jeepneys are significant in the lives
of Filipino commuters, not just as public transportation but also as a part of their culture, it said
that in the investigation it is relevant to maintain the traditional form and appearance of the
transportational jeepney in the country. The display of concern and accountability for one’s own
country is truly offering all the love to our origin.
In conclusion, this jeepney-phase-out which is the modernization program, affects a lot of
Pilipino people especially those jeepney drivers that have their own conflict issues, as the jeepney
drivers, commuters also have a problem in their daily fare in the exposure with modern jeepney,
and lastly the traditional jeepney that is one of the culture of the Philippines that affected by the
Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) by Duterte’s administration (2017). The
action of recommendations along with the jeepney-phase-out, could be an encouragement for
everyone of us to provide deep concern and considerations to our fellow jeepney drivers,
commuters, and especially to the culture of our own country, that we should still preserve and kept
within.