By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Time to put the brakes on old vehicles.
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., reiterated his call to modernize the country’s transport system, amid plans by transport groups to conduct a transport strike on June 5, the day classes open nationwide.
“We need to modernize our transportation system like in other countries,” said the Governor. “Our jeepneys here are so dilapidated that there are even models during the time of General Douglas MacArthur that are still running on the streets until now.”
He added these vehicles are no longer roadworthy and not fuel efficient, adding the phase out is necessary in order to minimize traffic congestion and accidents.
However, Marañon suggested that the phase out of old transport vehicles should be done throughout a given time period and not all at once.
Earlier, Diego Malacad, Secretary-General of United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC), said that the government is inconsistent on the plan to implement the phase out order and would only favor the moneyed operators who can afford to buy bulk brand new vehicles for hire.
He also warned that fares will double in Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) equipped with engineer compliant with Euro 4 emission standards, which is endorsed by the government./WDJ