Office of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Manifestation – Resolution on Postponement of Jeepneys’ Phaseout
28 February 2023
Mister President, distinguished colleagues, I am strongly associating myself with the manifestation/s made by our colleagues and most especially by the chair, my kinakapatid and my kumadre Senator Grace Poe. With the indulgence of the author, I would like to request to be made co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Resolution No. 507 entitled: A Resolution Expressing The Sense Of The Senate To Strongly Urge The Land Transportation Franchising And Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to postpone the planned phase out of all traditional jeepneys by June 30, 2023, pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected operators and drivers regarding the financial viability program.
Although we believe that it is imperative that we implement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, hindi dapat ito magsilbing lubid na bibigti sa kanila, kundi lubid na magliligtas sa kanila at hihila sa kanila sa pangangalaga at paggabay ng ating pamahalaan.
Our public transport sector caters to the most number of Filipinos – ang masang Pilipino. patuloy silang pumapasada sa kabila ng hagupit ng tumataas pang presyo ng krudo at ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Kahit na kakarampot ang naiuuwing kita ng ating mga namamasada, ay hindi sila tumitigil sa kanilang responsibilidad sa masang pilipino, na sa kanila umaasa para sa kanilang pang-araw araw na transportasyon. Kaya panahon na upang sila naman ang isakay natin sa maginhawang buhay.
I am also of the belief that certain considerations have to be made. Bumabangon pa lamang tayo sa pandemya at napakahirap po ng buhay ngayon. Malinaw naman ang posisyon at panawagan ng ating sektor ng transportasyon at sang-ayon po ako sa ating chairperson ng Committee on Public Services upang ipagpaliban muna ang implementasyon ng phase out na ito.
Thank you Mister President.