The Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP) is making an urgent plea for the immediate and full implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Executive Director Edgar Manuel warns that every delay increases the risk of more tragic accidents, as recent incidents have shown.
In February 2024, 14 passengers were injured when three traditional jeepneys crashed along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City due to brake failure. A month later, in Lobo, Batangas, two lives were lost, and 22 others were hurt when a jeepney veered off the road on a steep curve. More recently, in August 2024, another accident in Tanay, Rizal, claimed one life and left nine others injured when a jeepney lost its brakes on a downhill route.
“These accidents are proof that we can no longer afford to delay modernization,” Manuel emphasized. “We are gambling with lives by allowing outdated and unsafe vehicles to remain on the roads.”
The PUVMP is designed to replace aging jeepneys with modern vehicles equipped with better braking systems, stronger structural integrity, and compliance with environmental standards. However, the program is now facing funding shortages, with financial support from DBP and Land Bank running low. Without immediate government intervention, the shift to safer public transportation could come to a standstill.
ABMAP urges the government to act decisively—secure additional funding, provide financial assistance to transport operators, and strictly enforce safety regulations. “Modernization isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a life-saving necessity,” Manuel stated.
The wave of recent accidents is a grim reminder that the time for action is now. ABMAP stands ready to work with policymakers, transport operators, and stakeholders to ensure that the future of public transportation in the Philippines is safe, reliable, and sustainable.
