TACLOBAN FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE PUV MODERNIZATION PROGRAM

Tacloban City – After traumatically experiencing the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan year 2013, Taclobanon are thankful for being the recipient of the National Government Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Forty-five (45) units of an eco- passenger friendly vehicle (E-JEEP) will be plying the streets of Tacloban City after it was formally launched January 23, 2018 at Plaza Rizal, this City. All units were showcased at Plaza Rizal and motorcade around the City’s thoroughfare for Taclobanon to appreciate it. A simple ribbon cutting ceremony done, blessing of the units and a short program with guest coming from the Presidential Office, National Government (DOTr, LTFRB, NHA) and the City Government. The locals were privileged to take a free ride of the eco-passenger vehicle known as the E-JEEP to showcase the various features the solar passenger vehicle unit. Each vehicle is equipped with CCTV camera, TV screen, and overhead air fans, charging socket, digital signboard, cushioned comfortable seats and the use of a reloadable value card whenever a passenger took a ride. The “pure solar, it just make sense” unit are manned by 2 drivers and 2 marshals as revealed by DOTr Chair Atty. Martin Delga III during the prescon held at the City USAID Bldg. In an interview, Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez expresses her thanks to President Rody Duterte and the National government agencies (LTFRB, DOTr) involved in this program for bringing the first PUV Modernization Program implementation to the City of Tacloban. The six (6) Ceres Buses given to Tacloban were not enough to ferry thousands of Taclobanon now residing in permanent shelters located in the Northern barangays of the City, Mayor Cristina said. The presence of the 45 units of E-jeeps will now address transportation issues the City has this past days, she added. We owe this all to the President of the Philippines for piloting the implementation of said program to the resilient city of Tacloban. The present administration is more concerned in providing riding publics a decent, eco-friendly passenger public utility vehicle, a safe comfortable transport system to address the comforts of the riding public with competent disciplined drivers and fairs regulated by the government. Each unit can accommodate twenty passengers. Also present during the initial launching were: Office of the Presidential Asst. for the Visayas ASEC Gerard Gonzales, DOTr Road Transport & Infrastructure Asec. Mark Richmund de Leon, LTFRB Chair Atty. Martin Delga III, Star 8 Pres. & CEO Jacob Maimon, LTFRB RO8 Director Renwick Rutaquiao, Natl. Housing Authority, City VM Jerry Yaokasin, City Officials and other LTFRB regional directors coming from other regions, Barangay officials and the people of Tacloban. The PUV modernization is an inter-agency transportation program in partnership with DOTr, LTFRB, Office of the President, Solar Star 8 Company and the Local Government Unit. With the presence of E-JEEP Taclobanon will be less exposed to air pollution and other health hazards. It’s a clean, green and safe transportation modernized scheme for riding publics. Mayor Cristina asks Taclobanon to take good care of the 45 eco-friendly passenger units given us. Thank you to all who made this projects possible for Tacloban. (Gay B. Gaspay-TISAT/Kanhuraw Media Team, photo by Elizabeth Lesiguez)