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Filipinos Very Own Jeepney is in Manila and Everywhere in the Philippines

Jeepney symbolizes the culture of the Philippines. This is the primary means of transportation of the Filipino people. This vehicle can be seen anywhere in the country. There is no city, town or barangay that has no jeepneys to represent them. Jeepney is the life of the people in the Philippines.


On the Photo: Jeepney Blessing Ceremony




Children and adults in this photo are excited about the blessing of this new jeepney. Coins were thrown on top of the jeepney and they scrambled for it. For the jeepney owner, this is the start of a new day, a new business venture. Jeepney like this one, which has a stainless body costs around P300,000 to Php400,000 and is mainly used as a passenger utility vehicle.



How many jeepneys can you see here?





How about here?




Riding a Jeepney - How it Feels to be in It
Riding on the jeepney might not be that comfortable and convenient to all. If you are tall, you have no other choice but to bend your neck a little. If you are fat, worst case that the driver will charge you of double pay. The jeepney operates as an all-terrain vehicle. Rough road, rocky road, flat road, zigzag, inclined, floody; name it and the jeepney would not back-out on traversing these terrains.



On the Photos: Different Style of Jeepneys






These jeepneys above are designed to travel on mountainous areas in the Philippines. They have the top loads for carrying vegetables harvested from the agricultural lands in the province of Benguet. Powered by powerful diesel engines, jeepeneys like these can carry up to about 2 tons.


On the Photo: Jeepney with Signages of its Travel Routes in Manila




In the city of Manila alone, jeepneys can be considered as one of the most exploited, aside from the mostly used vehicles. Sometimes, jeepneys are loaded with passengers and stuffs that are heavier that its weight capacity limit. If drivers have no worries, so are the passengers. As long as there is a remaining space where you can place your self and your things, then go ahead. As the jeepney is a modified version of the American military jeep, it has no fear to over take any cars or trucks on the roads and highways. Oftentimes, this is known to be as the "Hari ng Kalsada" or "King of the Road". There could have been over a million jeepneys in the Philippines today.


On The Photo: Lots of Jeepneys in Streets of Manila




The Cost of Riding a Jeepney
The fare on the jeepney is based on the approved minimum fare of the government. That is a minimum fare, currently at eight pesos, for the first three kilometers and an additional one peso for each succeeding kilometer (this could have changed now). This policy is being implemented in the entire country. However, most commuters and passengers are endlessly complaining about this high fare on every ride. For many, the minimum fare is not fair as this is taking a big portion of the Filipino's daily cost of living allowance (COLA).



On the Photo: Jeepney Passing by a Shell Station

 

Almost all jeepneys are running on diesel. For the average commuters and drivers, they are becoming powerless during oil price hikes. Jeepney operators and drivers are protesting on the streets of Manila during these times. Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines or FEDJODAP is one of the most popular jeepney associations in the country while there seems to be associations in every town or city. This is becoming a normal situation when oil is putting their lives at risk.


On the Photo: Google Search Results on Jeepney




The Unique Design
Jeepneys' designs, styles and features have greatly evolved in the past decades. In the local terms, they call it "kolorete" - the thing that gives too much of a style for a jeepney making it very attractive not even to the local people but also to the foreigners. Google the jeepney and you can see a lot of pictures some of which are really amazing and unique.

Sarao Motors was the first to manufacture jeepneys in the Philippines during the 1950s. Today, jeepney manufacturers can be found in many places in the country including LGS Motors in Rizal and Malagueno Motors in Laguna. Innovation in jeepney designs has been laregely observed during the 1990s when these manufacturers began to incorporate Western design concepts such as those found in race cars and trucks. Each jeep then has its name plate placed in the front above the windshield. Mud guards were added. Decals, stickers, halogen lights, flashing lights, stainless body, and sturdy bumpers - these are what made up a jeepney these days.


Issues with Jeepneys
Jeepeneys could have been one of the major blocks in promoting a green world. As of today, the jeepney's smoke is really a huge contributing factor to the pollution in the environment, in Manila in particular. However, government agencies are still doing the right controls and measures over this pollution issue blamed against the jeepneys. But it seems not effective in the last three to four decades already as pollution is getting worst each year.

On the other hand, so-called "eJeepney" or "eJeep" are starting to arrive in the Philippines. In fact, some cities in Metro Manila have granted franchise to eJeepney drivers and operators. What is sure is that we will see a lot of eJeepney soon to travel on Philippine roads.

On the Photo: More Jeepney in the Philippines

Jeepney is like any other luxury car out there, a road user. Somehow it resembles the real traits of the Filipinos, be it good or bad. But as life goes on, jeepneys will still be there ready to serve anyone who wants to reach a destination at a lesser cost and at a faster speed. Want to ride or drive a jeepney? Go to the Philippines!


Related Posts

What’s Wrong with Us Filipinos? A Sensible Evaluation of Philippine Street Markets, Public Utility Vehicles, and Public Places


Cool Things You Need to Know (and Experience Now) About the Philippines – Part 2


About this Post
Amazed with this Philippines type of vehicle - the jeepney? Learn more about Philippines from this blogsite. Noriel Panganiban, the author, wants to share his personal views and experience about his country - the Philippines. This idea is coupled with his mission to bring positive changes to the country - by sharing blogs like this. You too can also contribute to these changes on your own ways.

For more information about Noriel and his goals, you can visit his website at www.knowriel.com. Contact Noriel at norielpanganiban@gmail.com if you have questions.

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