Preserve our cultural icon

This refers to the editorial, “The jeepney crisis” (2/11/18). I simply cannot agree that “old jeepneys will be bought by the government for scrap.” The jeepney has always been recognized as an iconic transportation ride in the country.

If the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program, including the phasing out of jeepneys which are 15 years and older, pushes through, let me suggest certain practical measures in order to preserve the historic value of the iconic jeepney by transforming them into the following:

1. Nonemergency ambulance vehicles for local government units especially to be used by the LGUs’ health centers and local tourism offices;

2. Vehicles for persons with disabilities and senior citizens to maximize their ability to move around within their communities;

3. Vehicles for first responders of the LGUs under the auspices of their respective disaster risk reduction management offices;

4. Public school service vehicles especially during educational trips, scouting activities and the like; and,

5. Military, police and barangay “bantay bayan” vehicles during the conduct of their operations as law enforcers.

The jeepney is a cultural icon and cultural icons need preserving.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
assistant city councilor,
Marikina City