Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading assembler and distributor of brand-new Isuzu trucks, joined the LTFRB Modern PUV Caravan 2019, a multi-sectoral program aimed to promote the nationwide adoption of modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) towards a cleaner, safer, more convenient, more efficient, and more organized mass transport system, and thus realizing the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The LTFRB Modern PUV Caravan 2019 started on July 4 with a 5:00 a.m. motorcade beginning at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, with the convoy arriving at the main office of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga province at 9:00 a.m. for the launch program.

The motorcade, composed of modernized PUVs from Isuzu and other manufacturers, had on board representatives from the participating sectors of government and various industries, namely DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Bureau (LTFRB, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Landbank, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI), Truck Manufacturers Association, Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP), Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA).

The program launch in Clark was highlighted by presentations by the different participating groups on their roles in the ongoing PUVMP, as well as the unveiling of a Modern PUV Showcase that displays the various new PUVs designed, developed, and built by truck manufacturers and local vehicle body builders. The LTFRB also announced the new nationwide routes of modern PUVs.

IPC, for its part, brought in and showcased the brand-new Isuzu QKR77 and NLR77 light-duty trucks configured as modernized PUVs (BPS PNS compliant) with body developed by one of the country’s leading body builders, Almazora Motors Corporation, Centro Manufacturing Corporation, and Santa Rosa Motor Works Inc.

Modernized PUVs from Isuzu can now be seen plying various routes in Metro Manila and across the Philippines and have met local and international vehicle manufacturing standards. They have also satisfied PUVMP requirements, such as the automatic fare collection system (AFCS), a GPS tracking system, CCTV cameras and dashcams, and Wi-Fi router.

Apart from the Isuzu modern PUVs offering more legroom, headroom, and seat space for its passengers, the QKR and NLR platform assembled in the Philippines is equipped with the Euro IV-compliant 3.0-liter 4JH1-TC CRDI diesel engine that delivers better fuel economy and cleaner emissions.

IPC was also instrumental in helping the government kick off the PUVMP program in June 2018, when the Japanese truck manufacturer supplied the modern PUVs for the program’s pilot operator the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO).

IPC President Hajime Koso said the Modern PUV Caravan 2019 provides a great opportunity for more Filipino commuters to be made more aware of the numerous benefits of riding in modern PUVs in their localities, and for transport cooperatives to gain easier access to acquiring such vehicles.

The Grand Caravan 2019, with the theme “Modern PUV: Arangkada ng Pagbabago Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” has been planned as a series of events starting from the kick off in Clark extending all the way to northern Luzon and to Mindanao.

The Grand Caravan will be held in four phases, with Phase 1 covering North Luzon area from July 4 to August 2. It already visited the cities of Clark and San Fernando, Pampanga on July 4 and 5 and Tarlac on July 8. Today it will be in Urdaneta and Dagupan in Pangasinan; Baguio, Benguet on July 12; San Fernando, La Union on July 15; Vigan, Ilocos Sur on July 17; Laoag, Ilocos Norte on July 19; Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley on July 24; Cauayan, Isabela on July 26; Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on July 29; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija on July 31; and Marilao, Bulacan on August 2.

Phase 2 will be held on September, and will cover South Luzon area: The Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (September 2); Antipolo in Rizal (September 4); Bacoor, Cavite (September 6); Santa Rosa, Laguna (September 9); Lipa, Batangas (September 11); Calapan, Mindoro (September 13); Lucena, Quezon (September 16); Boac, Marinduque (September 18); Naga, Camarines Sur (September 20); Legaspi, Albay (September 23); and Puerto Princesa, Palawan (TBD).

Phase 3 will cover the Visayas region and will be held during November. The cities set to be visited are Catbalogan, Samar (November 4); Tacloban and Ormoc, Leyte (November 6); Tagbilaran, Bohol (November 8); Cebu City (November 11); Iloilo in Panay (November 15); Bacolod City (November 18); and Dumaguete City (November 20).

And Phase 4 will cover the Mindanao area, and will be held on January and February 2020.

For more information and the latest updates on the Modern PUV Caravan 2019, log on to www.isuzuphil.com.(PR)