Isuzu Philippines turns over 28 modern PUVs in Oriental Mindoro

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) formally turned over on September 2022 a fleet of Isuzu NLR public-utility vehicles (PUV) in Oriental Mindoro.

The company said in a press statement that the ceremony was held at Isuzu Calapan, where members of the Victoria Operators Drivers and Commuters Transport Cooperative (VODACTCO) received 28 NLRs.

The vehicles, which IPC said are the first modern Isuzu PUVs in the province, will be used to serve commuters traveling the approximately 35-kilometer route between the capital of Calapan City to the town of Victoria. 

"We are happy and proud to be part of your progress and development in terms of transportation," said IPC president Noboru Murakami in a speech. "Being the number-one truck brand in the Philippines for 22 consecutive years, Isuzu’s goal has always been about providing transport solutions to people."

Meanwhile, VODACTCO general manager Gaudencio Callo said his group decided to partner with IPC because of the brand’s reputation for fuel efficiency and good aftersales support.

"To comply with the PUV modernization program of LTFRB, we made sure that the replacement of our old traditional jeepneys are durable and fuel-efficient vehicles because this is a big investment for our cooperative members," he said in a statement.

The PUV Modernization Program, which was kicked off on June 2017 by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), aims to revamp the country’s public transport system by implementing policies to make commuting more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly.

The program includes updated vehicle standards for PUVs, particularly modernized jeepneys to replace older fleets with designs that trace their roots to post-World War II Philippines.

Republic Act 11697 or the "Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act" added to the PUV Modernization Program by mandating the incorporation of electric vehicles to public transport fleets within a defined timeframe.

The measure, which lapsed into law on Apr. 15, 2022, also aims to make all PUVs fully electric.