Write an argumentative essay on the issue of the government's transport modernization
program. Are you in favour or against it? Indicate the following in your essay.
Introduction: thesis statement, claim
Body: supporting details/warrant, counterargument/rebuttal, data/ evidences on the
counterargument
Conclusion: clinching statement.
Metro Manila, the capital of the Philippines, seems to be on the move, and so are the people
who live there. But keeping up with the fast-paced lifestyle that Manila demands is still a struggle.
Above all, he's one of those infrastructures that public transport literally can't keep up with.
Today, it is common for commuters to wait hours even when transportation is available (Kritz,
2017). In addition to waiting for commuting, many people are accustomed to spending long hours
on the road due to traffic jams, resulting in much longer total travel times (Francisco, 2016).
Public transportation may be the most popular choice for many commuters, but the current state
of public transportation in the Philippines needs significant improvement to address both
apparent and potential problems. Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. said: Overtake the public transport
sector. The program will improve the quality of life in cities, reduce economic losses due to lost
productivity from travel, reduce health care costs and preventable deaths, reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, and improve the quality of services. It aims to improve the financial
performance of businesses and industries through increased Criteria But does the government
take into account the potential loss of livelihoods for drivers and operators? Governments should
consider the negative impact that the abolishment of official vehicles will have on drivers'
livelihoods.
The main reason is that modernization of transport puts drivers at a disadvantage. Public
vehicles, including jeepneys, are one of the main sources of income for many Filipinos. The
numbers are hard to come by, but various estimates put between 180,000 and 270,000
franchised jeepneys on the streets of the Philippines, with about 75,000 in Metro Manila alone.
Studies show that these are the most popular modes of transportation in the country, with
millions of people commuting to work each day. (Westerman, 2018) George San Mateo,
president of his Pinagkaisang samahan ng mga tsuper, a national operator (PISTON), said
modernizing public transport would not advance them and would cost them a daily source of
income. says deaf. It is clear that modernization of transport will primarily affect the lives of
drivers, who will lose their jobs and income as a result. Jeepneys are simply the walking option
for getting around Metro Manila, a city of over 12 million people and one of the most densely
populated urban areas in the world. Rides average 8 pesos (about 16 cents), making it by far the
cheapest option. Jeepneys are popular with people of all income levels, especially the poor, as

an alternative to the city's light rail system, taxis, commuter buses and even trikes (motorcycles
with sidecars). Despite rapid economic growth, millions of Filipinos still live in poverty. "Jeepney
commuters remember he's one of the poorest people in the Philippines," says Mateo. This shows
that commuters still prefer to use cheap transport over expensive transport. On the contrary, air
pollution is cited as the main reason President Rodrigo Duterte plans to remove all jeepneys from
the roads and replace them with greener vehicles. A 2016 study by the Manila Observatory, a
non-profit scientific research institute, found that diesel-powered jeepneys account for 15% of
Metro Manila's particulate matter emissions. But San Mateo believes it's unfair to blame
jeepneys alone for pollution in another city that has so many polluting vehicles. He also said that
if the government hadn't imposed so many fees, fines and penalties on jeepney drivers and
operators, they would have had more money to keep their sometimes dilapidated vehicles in
good condition. Because jeepneys stop indiscriminately and allow people to get on and off, they
are often blamed for heavy traffic. It has a set route but no set stops, so it operates in a similar
fashion to a hop-on hop-off bus. This argument is not persuasive as there are several factors
besides PUVs that contribute to traffic congestion.
These statements only prove that transport modernization can have a very negative impact on
Filipinos, especially marginalized sectors that include drivers and regular Filipino commuters. The
government is right that everyone needs safer and better transportation, but it should also be
taken into account that not everyone can afford it. The development of a country is not a bad
thing, but it is natural that as the economy develops, so do people's lives.