Dino: E-jeep to ply Lapu-Lapu streets

CEBU, Philippines — At least 100 environment-friendly electric jeepneys will soon operate in the roads of Lapu-Lapu City as a way of modernizing public transportation.

Mayor Paz Radaza said this was announced by Presidential Assistant of the Visayas Michael Dino during the Association of Barangay Captain (ABC) night, one of the fiesta-related activities of the city held last Monday evening.

"These electric jeepneys are solar powered aside from its batteries that can be charged through conventional charging stations or household electric source," she said.

In a speech, Dino said during the event that Benjamin Oliva, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) administrator, informed him about it.

"No less than C.D.A. Administrator Benjie Oliva informed me today that the application is approved in principle, paving the way for the implementation of the transport modernization program of President Duterte in the City,” he said.

Radaza, on the other hand, said that the solar-powered jeepneys are a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) which is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's PUJ Modernization Program.

There is no specific date as to when the jeepneys will arrive and the city has yet to determine the route.

Radaza said the travel time of the e-jeepney has a “precisely-timed interval” and there is no need for drivers rushing to get passengers and it is safe.

She also added that the e-jeepneys can accommodate around 20 seated passengers and up to 30 standing passengers.

In a recent national broadsheet report in 2017, Duterte is bent on phasing out old jeepneys this year despite the opposition of the drivers and operators.

Under his modernization plan, jeepneys and other public utility vehicles such as buses and vans aged 15 years and above will not be allowed on the roads.

He said that old jeepneys are releasing fumes that are bad to the public’s health and it is not helping the environment as well. — MBG (FREEMAN)