The Senate of the Philippines, together with Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), set an example and paved the way for the future of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) with the turnover of 15 modernized jeepneys as part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The turnover ceremonies, held in front of the Senate Building in Pasay, was attended by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Transportation Undersecretary Thomas Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, Senate Secretariat officials, Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO)officials, key government officials and executives from the private sector, IPC president Hajime Koso, Isuzu Gencars, Inc. chairman and CEO Edgard Cabangon and Almazora Motors Corporation EVP Conrad Almazora.
The occasion also signified the beginning of the PUVMP, with SETSCO as the pilot operator.
The modernized PUVs are assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform which has been modified specifically for PUV use. Among the changes done by Isuzu include a longer wheelbase (3,360 millimeters), a swap of fuel tank and battery’s location to accommodate the side-door, and the installation of a front stabilizer for added safety and comfort. It’s powered by a Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine delivering cleaner emissions and excellent fuel economy.
The Isuzu Modern PUV adheres to the “Gawa ng Filipino, para sa Filipino” adage since the platform itself is assembled in IPC’s Biñan, Laguna assembly plant. Meanwhile, the rear body itself is designed and manufactured by Cavite-based Almazora Motors Corporation.
This new Isuzu modern PUV is compliant with the agreed-upon standardized dimensions (Philippine National Standards PNS 2126:2017). It’s classified as a Class 2 PUV (6,270mm in length, 2,525mm in height, and 1,795mm in width) with a 23-passenger side-facing seat configuration. The passenger cabin floor-to-ceiling height and gangway width are 1,780mm and 830mm, respectively, providing more space for passengers to move inside. The passenger door is safely situated on the right-hand side, facing the sidewalk. Other design features of the body include panoramic windows and windshields, full-body insulation with GeneQ shield, automatic door closer, and provisions for persons with disabilities.
Completing the modernized look and features of the new PUVs are the LED TV monitors for real-time information including station details, route, date, time, weather, news, and advertisement, LED electronic signages for vehicle route information, fire extinguishers, CCTV, dashcam and back-up cameras, an automatic fare collection, and a built-in speed limiter — all geared for passengers’ safety, entertainment, and added convenience in fare collection.
These new PUVs also offer warranty coverages, options not available for old jeepneys: three years or 150,000 kilometers for the cab and chassis, and a separate warranty for the body, air conditioning and other accessories. Additionally, IPC will be offering a three-tier parts line-up with the most affordable, Isuzu Select Parts being 50-percent cheaper than Isuzu Genuine Parts.
Admittedly, the cost of these modern PUVs is still quite high (P2,080,000 for the configuration selected by SETSCO), but the different stakeholders are finding ways to reduce the price. For IPC’s part, they’re hoping to shift to a standardized body type and an assembly line process in order to make it quicker and more affordable. For the government, they’re looking to complement the modern PUV program with a “Five-Six-Seven Program.” With this, the government subsidizes five percent of the purchase price (at a maximum of P80,000) while the rest can be financed at a fixed interest rate of six percent for seven years.
“This is truly a landmark event for the PUV modernization program of the Philippine government and Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s active participation in this timely project. The fruitful collaboration between IPC and the wholly Filipino-owned Almazora Motors Corporation ensures that our commuters ride only in world-class public utility vehicles that also take into careful consideration passenger safety, comfort, and the particular locality’s needs,” IPC president Hajime Koso explained.
“The formal turnover today at the honorable institution of the Senate of the Philippines, only means that we are starting the PUVMP program not just on the right foot, but in the best way possible, as our modernized jeepneys will provide safe, convenient, reliable and comfortable transport services to the people who render public service on their part,” he added.
IPC has been operating in the country for more than 20 years and has built a reputation for durable and reliable commercial vehicles perfectly suited for local driving conditions. It is this unmatched brand reputation that led SETSCO to choose Isuzu as the vehicle brand for the pilot program of the PUVMP. According to SETSCO’s franchise holders, a program of this magnitude would require that all aspects of the program “must go right from the start,” as a pilot project ultimately determines the future course of the program as it is applied in other locations in the Philippines.
SETSCO, which has shown to comply with the requirements prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), has been run by Senate employees since 2004 and now has joint ownership of 35 franchises granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The PUV Modernization Program is envisioned to replace some 250,000 jeepneys nationwide with new, safer, environment-friendly, and comfortable public utility vehicles in the next five to six years.