Jeepney Modernization Program in the Philippines

With the desire to replace old jeepney vehicles into e-jeepneys aiming to resolve the air pollution issue in Metro Manila and other cities in the country, the government had passed a jeepney modernization program. There is a heavy burden on the initial phase of implementation of the project especially on the acquisition and operating costs. Factors that would affect the implementation of this program would have been the issues in the production of modern jeepneys, infrastructure development of terminals and charging stations, emergence of new PUJ technologies, financial support from the government including ordinances and policies affecting public transportation, labor issues concerning jeepney operations including the level of support from the various transportation groups.

Philippines, being in the least developed countries, not having their own car manufacturing, will have a hard time to implement this program. For the jeepney modernization program be in placed, the government must partnered with various foreign car manufacturers that is operating in the country to initially supply needed amount of vehicles. Though this approach would be very costly, thus makes jeepney drivers resists on this change. The government must provide
financial support that will aid the drivers enough to accept the change and win the support from various groups.

While the transition of modernizing jeepneys is taking place, the country should not forget to transition from the adoption of this modernization program. Thus, the government should be learning and acting on being an independent manufacturer of e-jeepneys. They could do it initially by importing the raw materials from suppliers, then training the people on assembling the car. For a long-term plan, the country must include in the curriculum in the education sector the study of making engines of these e-jeepneys or create an R&D laboratory in studying the
engine involved in this e-jeepney. The government must also need to strengthen their patent regulations on their developed products to protect intellectual rights. And also for the government to really implement a strict policy and framework regarding the adaption and development of e-jeepney in the country. As a result, the transition from this technology transfer will not only create more jobs in the country but will surely reduce the costs of e-jeeps now that
the assembly and manufacturing will be taken place in the country.