Jeepney drivers to DOTC: Release P1-billion engine conversion funds

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Asosiciation (MJODA) yesterday called on the Department of Transportation and Communications to release P1 billion allocated for the conversion of diesel engines of jeepneys to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engines.

Members of the MJODA threatened to burn one of the group’s three LPG-powered jeepneys at the Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola Bridge) to protest the DOTC’s failure to release funds for the engine conversion project.

MJODA president Gonzalo Cerio said the drivers would burn the jeepney, which he owns, in protest over what they describe as the DOTC’s inaction on the conversion project.

“We will burn the jeepney. They (DOTC officials) were the ones who started this project. I just wasted my time and money on this project,” Cerio told reporters in Makati City.

Cerio said many drivers and operators have expressed their support for the project, in light of the recent hikes in the prices of diesel.

He said the DOTC, however, did not transfer the P1-billion in funds to the Postal Bank for release to interested jeepney operators in the form of loans. The funding for the project was sourced from the Road Users Tax.

“The Postal Bank told us that they do not have the money,” Cerio said. According to Cerio, the funding has not yet been forwarded to the Postal Bank as the DOTC has still yet to come out with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the project.

Cerio said the drivers have received information that the original P1-billion funding being kept by the DOTC for the project has now been reduced to just P300 million.

The MJODA manufactured three prototypes of the LPG-powered jeepneys to prove to the DOTC the viability of the project.

Cerio said MJODA tested the three jeepneys for six months in Makati City by offering free rides. However, despite this, the DOTC has not released the funds, which would enable operators to secure loans and convert their diesel-powered jeepneys into LPG engines.