Aspiring Central Student Council (CSC) candidates opposed each other’s beliefs program during this year’s Tagisan on Saturday, Nov. 9.

In the “For or Against” segment of the debate, CSC Secretary candidate Meckia Villanueva favored the jeepney modernization, while CSC Public Relations Officer aspirant Annie Nicholle Agon stood against it.

Villanueva clarified that she opposes the jeepney phaseout but supports jeepney modernization, highlighting that “advancements” are necessary for Filipino transportation.

The lone secretary bet acknowledged the challenges that jeepney drivers face in the program and suggested a need for a well-constructed system that would ease the burden on drivers.

“Ina-acknowledge natin na magiging mahirap para sa mga tsuper ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong modernisasyon, ngunit kung magkakaroon tayo ng tamang sistema sa pag-i-implement ng modernization ay hindi magkakaroon ng added burden sa ating mga tsuper sa pagkakaroon ng progress sa ating lipunan,” Villanueva said.

On the contrary, Agon defied the jeepney modernization, arguing that the current modernization system burdens jeepney drivers due to the electrical equipment it requires, which strains their budget.

“Mabigat talaga siya sa bulsa, na ‘yung context kasi natin ngayon na matatanggal yung mga traditional jeepney natin na magiging pahirap talaga siya sa mga tsuper,” she said.

Modernization at the expense of jeepney drivers?

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) was mandated by the Rodrigo Duterte administration in 2017 and was set to be implemented in 2020 but was delayed until 2023 amid the pandemic.

The program sought to replace traditional jeepneys with electric-powered vehicles that offer passengers a commuting experience that is safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.

However, Jeepney drivers who have consolidated their franchises expressed that the modernization program strained their income due to the costly maintenance and price of the modernized jeepneys, which range from P1.3 million to P3 million.

As of November 2024, about 160,000 out of the 190,000 jeepney drivers have consolidated their franchises under the program.

Transport groups PISTON and Manibela held mobilizations to oppose the program’s policies, including the forced franchise consolidation and the high costs of the modern jeepney units, which they argue are unaffordable for public utility vehicle drivers and operators.

Since its inception, the PUVMP had been postponed seven times after numerous appeals to suspend its operation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected a Senate proposal to halt the program’s implementation, as the majority of public vehicle units in the country have already been consolidated.

Despite the government’s support for the program, it will not be prioritized under the 2025 National Expenditure Program for budgetary restrictions.

The Department of Budget and Management initially aimed for an equity subsidy budget of P2.9 billion, but it was only approved for about a billion pesos. - P. A. Luares and N. Manalang