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There are transport lobbyists who are silently campaigning for the phasing out of Philippine jeepneys from our messy trafficked roads. By introducing alternative modes of transportation like the MRT or the FX taxis a handful of people are saying the jeepney is obsolete.

But do you agree? Would you prefer a jeepney-less road?

First, phasing out the jeepney is equal to killing a cultural heritage. The jeepney is a national symbol and remain an effective mode of transport especially for commuters who don’t have the money to pay for the high fares of taxis and the railway.

A national icon, the jeepney is the king of Philippine roads

Second, tourists from around the world admire the jeepney and, thus, help the tourism industry. If Thailand has the tuk-tuk, and China has the rickshaw, the Philippines have the jeepney to help people get around in short and long trips. The caleza can only go so far and they’re now limited to parks and in Binondo.

Most importantly, the jeepney is part of our coloful history. Taking it away only proves critics who claim this country has no sense of history.

History of the Philippine Jeepney

The first jeepneys were actually army jeeps that were left behind by teh Americans during World War II. Enterprising Filipinos stripped down the jeeps to accommodate several passengers, added metal roofs for shade, and decorated the vehicles with vibrant colors and bright chrome hood ornaments.

In the provinces, jeepneys are used to transport both passengers and goods

Various decorations were also attached such as horse figures, flags, colorful lights and mirrors. The jeepney soon emerged as a popular inexpensive public transportation.

The modern jeepney is now bigger and can accommodate up to 20 passengers. The unique thing about them is that no jeepney is exactly the same as another. They have different looks and different features.

Several improvisations added to the jeepney include blinker lights that come on when passengers who have to alight press a button or pull a string. Some even went further as creating an air-conditioned jeepney, but you have to add at least Php2.00 to your fare. Sometimes, there’s a basket attached to a string that will collect fare from the passengers.

The driver depends on the passengers’ honesty when it comes to payment. Since no ticket or receipts are issued, the driver has no way of knowing if everybody paid up. That’s why you will usually see signs like this inside the jeepney: “God knows Judas not pay.”

The interior of the jeepney also show another facet of Filipinos. The panel at the driver’s area usually bears several trinkets like action figures, stuffed toys, or family pictures. Most times they become mini-altars with figurines of saints and rosaries displayed.

Jeepneys embody the history of the Philippines in the 21st century and stand as a testament to Filipino mechanical and artistic genius.

Fifty-seven years after the WW2 ended, jeepneys are still hauling passengers throughout the Philippines. Though these national icons face increasing competition from more modern FX and minivan taxis, jeepneys remain the backbone of public transportation.

Many jeepneys operate in the Metro Manila area, but a large number also ply the back roads of far away provinces because unlike a bus or minivan, a jeepney can handle a muddy country track with ease.

So who would want to eliminate the jeepney from our every day communting? After all, the jeepney is still the king of Philippine roads.

Tags: Philippine Jeepney, Philippine History, Philippine Culture