Bam Aquino pushes for ‘just transition’ for jeepneys
Bam Aquino | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bam Aquino
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino said on Thursday he would push for a just transition for jeepneys should he be elected in May.
In a dialogue with the Batangas Transport Cooperative in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, the former senator who is eyeing a comeback promised jeepney operators and drivers that he would review the government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) and make sure they would be able to cope with its regulations.
The PTMP mandates the phaseout of diesel-powered public utility vehicles in favor of Euro-4 models. But transport groups argued that the costs of transitioning were too steep, with Euro-4 vehicles costing around P2.4 million.
“We need to look at whether you can really do it,” Aquino told the transport group. “We also want to modernize and follow the government’s program, but what we’re pushing for is just transition. Nobody gets left behind.”
If elected, Aquino said he would lobby for increased government support for transitioning jeepney operators and drivers. This includes increased subsidy for new units, which is currently set at P180,000 each.
