Naga City (PIA) – Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in addressing transport-related problems in the country, this city government on Monday, April 17, finally launched the first set of ten modernized public utility jeepneys at Plaza Rizal – the first in the Bicol region.

The said launching took its ribbon-cutting at the city hall compound, led by Mayor Nelson Legacion and Regional Director PMGen. Antonio Gardiola of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Bicol.

These new  air-conditioned jeepneys have installed advanced technologies for fast communication and security purposes such as free internet, GPS, CCTV, TV monitor, and dashboard camera. Each unit has 22 seats including seats for persons with disabilities and another 10 handles for standing passengers.

In an interview with Legacion, he said that passengers may also pay online via tap card payment mode.

The new PUV were made possible thru the Camarines Sur Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CMPC). The  10 new jeepneys amounted to a total of 25.5 million pesos.

Cooperative General Manager Annielen Panerio encouraged the public to patronize the modern vehicles as they are environmental-friendly.

“Ito po ay in collaboration with the entire country, and different nations na protektahan po yung ating mother earth and to do that, we need to modernize all transportation vehicles sa buong mundo” Panerio said.

The regular rate of the modern PUJs, Panerio said, is P14 pesos for adult, and P12 pesos for students and senior citizens.

The operations of the new jeeps will start next week going through the routes of Del Rosario, Panganiban, Naga Centro, Magsaysay, Pacol and Almeda Highway.

The modern public utility jeepneys have installed and advanced technologies for fast communication and security purposes such as free internet, GPS, CCTV, TV monitor, dashboard camera and air conditioner. The units have 22 seats including seats for persons with disabilities and another 10 handles for standing passengers.

Director Gardiola explained that these jeepneys are class 2 utility vehicles as they have capacity to drive around 20 kilometers. The LTFRB, alongside UV groups, is still advocating for the finalization of some provision of the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines which calls for some changes in distance driving per UV.

“Base sa Omnibus Franchising Guidelines hanggang 60 km lang ang takbo ng isang UV. Ibig sabihin nito ang byahe ng Naga-Legazpi ay dapat mini bus na subalit ito ay mabigat sa bulsa at hindi pa kakayanin. Ang isinusulong ng mga UV operators ay iextend lang from 60 km o kahit nasa hundred o 220 km kaya pa yan,” Gardiola said.

The launching of Modern PUVs aims to promote growth and viability not only in Naga City but also in the entire Bicol Region, said Grace Rojas, the Land Transportation Office Naga chief  in her speech.

“This modernization program is also part of five pillars of road safety which is road worthy vehicles kaya po huwag tayong magagalit na pinapaganda natin ang ating mga sasakyan para sa atin din po ito. Soon po imo-modernized po natin lahat ng Public Utility Vehicles. Yan po part ng solution ng road safety natin at ng LTO road action and safety plan,” Rojas added.   

In his post, Legacion said that modernization of the public transport system alongside Local Public Transport Route Plan aims to create a more protected and safer travel for public riders and drivers in the city. Thus, he hoped that this endeavor will be accepted and supported by the public.    

In June, additional ten modern jeepneys will be supplied in the city. (With reports from Carl Joshua Calinog and Joana Marie Eboña, Camaligan National High School-PIA5/Camarines Sur)