The Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP), under the leadership of Executive Director Edgar Manuel, strongly urges the government to implement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in full and without further delay. This call to action follows a series of tragic accidents involving traditional jeepneys, underscoring the urgent need for safer and more reliable public transportation.
In February 2024, a severe accident on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City left 14 passengers injured after three traditional jeepneys collided, reportedly due to brake failure. The following month, a fatal crash in Lobo, Batangas, claimed two lives and injured 22 others when a jeepney lost control on a downhill curve. More recently, in August 2024, a jeepney accident in Tanay, Rizal, resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries after the vehicle’s brakes failed while descending a slope.
These incidents highlight the critical need for modernized PUVs, which feature advanced safety systems, improved braking, and enhanced structural integrity while meeting current environmental standards. The PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys over 15 years old with safer, eco-friendly models. However, the program’s progress is at risk due to financial constraints, as funding from institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank is running low.
Executive Director Manuel stresses that the PUVMP is not just a transportation policy but a moral responsibility. Every delay puts commuters’ lives at risk. ABMAP calls on the government to take immediate action by securing additional funding, providing financial aid to affected operators and drivers, and enforcing strict safety regulations to ensure all public vehicles meet the highest safety standards.
The recent spate of accidents is a stark reminder that modernization is not just necessary—it is long overdue. ABMAP remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a safer, more efficient, and sustainable public transport system for the Filipino people.
