Tacloban City Welcomes PUV Modernization Program
After being postponed for a few weeks because of Typhoon Urduja, the government’s controversial public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program was officially launched on January 23 in Tacloban City. It was held at the city’s Rizal Park and drew more than 1,000 residents.
The city that was devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013 was chosen for the launch because of its fast economic growth and the “resilience” displayed by the locals according to assistant secretary Anthony Gerald Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.
“Eastern Visayas is not only the fastest-growing economy earning a double-digit growth; it also holds the record of having the fastest rehabilitation among regions in the Yolanda corridor,” Gonzales added during the launch.
Aside from the residents, the launch was also attended by DOTr and LTFRB officials, the city government, representatives of Star Green Technology Corp. and Solartech, and both the vehicle manufacturers and franchise holders.
45 electronic jeepneys have been initially deployed in northern Tacloban where over 15,000 families formerly living along the city’s high-risk areas will be relocated. Over 9,000 families have already been transferred there while the rest are still awaiting the completion of houses being built by the National Housing Authority.
The electronic jeepneys were already plying the roads of northern Tacloban since last December after the original launch date and have provided convenience to commuters like Maricel Bignay, a saleslady in downtown Tacloban. She said that the new jeepneys are convenient and helped lower her transportation budget since she no longer has to make a “special trip” especially when she is assigned in the closing shift.
The lack of public transport in Tacloban’s relocation site was already evident back in 2016 when President Duterte visited. He even ordered the deployment of six buses to bring students and workers to and from the city, but it was not enough as the number of people being relocated to permanent housing units increases.
In fact, before the introduction of the modern transport system, residents in the area have to wait for a long time to get a vehicle. Male students would often have to sit at the top of the roof of a fast-running jeepney just to reach home.
According to LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III, when the framework of the PUV modernization program was finalized, they studied how the plan can possibly help residents in the area.
“This is the President’s gift to the people of Tacloban,” he said.
The implementation of of PUV modernization in Tacloban will serve as a “template.” LTFRB from different regions will observe the implementation and recommend further enhancement to it.
via Business Mirror / Elmer Recuerdo
