Senator Grace Poe Urges Preservation of Iconic Filipino Jeepney Design
GRACE POE – Senator Grace Poe emphasized that the distinctive Filipino design of traditional jeepneys should be maintained amidst the government’s efforts to implement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Senator Grace Poe emphasized the importance of preserving the iconic Filipino design of traditional jeepneys amidst the government’s efforts to modernize public utility vehicles. She suggested that while safety standards should be maintained, there is room to modify jeepney designs to enhance safety and convenience for the public.
“Let us allow our iconic jeepney designs to be used as long as they can keep up with the safety requirements … you can tweak the designs of these jeepneys to make it safer and more convenient for the public,” Poe said in a radio interview.
Grace Poe stated that retaining the traditional designs in modernized jeepneys could contribute to the nation’s tourism efforts, given the worldwide fame of the Filipino jeepney.
“If they really want to help promote our cultural development, we can get the help of artists as consultants. They can help our drivers with the standard designs,” the senator said, noting that other countries’ public transportation vehicles feature their nations’ cultural trademarks.
“When you go to Bangkok, they have the ‘tuk tuk’; in United Kingdom they have the double-decker buses. Their transport vehicles really have character and value to tourism because of their uniqueness. Same with our own jeepneys, which has a long history dating back to World War II, that’s why they’re also very popular,” she said.
Grace Poe criticized the proposed design for modern jeepneys, describing it as “ugly and lacks character.”
“Aren’t they ugly? They look like boxes I couldn’t understand. It lacks character. The designs do not have soul,” she said.