Modern PUJs to help lessen air pollution

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE modern public utility jeepneys (PUJ) will not only ensure safety and convenience but also help lessen air pollution in Iloilo City, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6.

In his message during the inauguration and launching of the seven PUJs of the Iloilo City Alliance Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (ICAODTC) at their office and garage in Sambag, Jaro on May 8, 2019, DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. said the modernized PUJs uses Euro 4 standard engines which ensures lesser pollution from the vehicles.

“Ang Euro 4 ay isa sa standards na ginawa ng European Union para mabawasan at masolusyonan ang polusyon na nanggaling sa mga sasakyan.  Magagawa nitong linisin ang ating hangin dahil mababa lang ang mga toxic na nirerelease ng mga ganitong sasakyan sa hangin,” Milla said.

According to Milla, the Euro 4 standard can lessen air pollution by reducing emissions from vehicles such as toxic sulfur by 450 parts per million (ppm), benzene by 4 percent and also carbon dioxide emission, which causes climate change.

“Ang ating bansa, bilang developing country, ay matagal ng inaasahan ang full implementation of Euro 4 standards on vehicles,” he said.

With the modernized vehicles, Milla said they can also fully implement the Clean Air Act of 1999 or Republic Act No. 8749.

“Dahil dito, mai-implement na natin ng maayos ang Clean Air Act or RA 8749. Matagal na ito pero ngayon lang mai-implement. Actually, isa ito sa mga priorities ni DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu,” he said.

Seven units of modernized jeepneys of the ICAODTC will start plying the streets of Iloilo City next week.

Rizal Alido, president of City Loop Integrated Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers’ Association (CLIAJODA) and board secretary of ICAODTC, said the air-conditioned jeepneys will serve four routes in the metro.

The routes are:

• Iloilo Terminal and General Services Inc. (ITGSI) terminal in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district going to the City Proper via Jaro CPU and vice versa;
• Jaro CPU Derecho route (from Barangay Sambag, Jaro to the City Proper and vice versa);
• ITGSI terminal in Barangay Ungka, Jaro to the City Proper via Diversion Road and vice versa; and
• Villa Baybay to City Proper and vice versa.

Rizal said the fully air-conditioned modernized jeepneys will ensure the hassle-free commuting experience that Ilonggos have long been waiting for.

“More than the convenience, we offer safety, wala na hassle magbiyahe sila and makaabot sila sa ila offices fresh and on time,” Alido said.

Alido said they will be deploying a total of 110 units of modernized jeepneys in the city this year.

The modernized jeepneys are compliant with the modernization program of the government.