Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) showed its unwavering support for the country’s PUV Modernization program by joining the LTFRB Modern PUV Caravan 2019. The event is a multisectoral program aimed to promote the nationwide adoption of modernized PUVs for a cleaner, safer, more efficient, and more organized mass transport system.

The motorcade, composed of modernized PUVs from Isuzu and other manufacturers, had on board representatives from the participating sectors of government and various industries: The DOTr; the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Bureau (LTFRB); the Land Transportation Office (LTO); Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); Landbank; the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI); the Truck Manufacturers Association; the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID); the Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP); the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP); and the Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA).

After its launch, the Modern PUV Caravan will have 4 phases: Phase 1 covering North Luzon area from July 4 to August 2, and will visit the cities of Clark and San Fernando, Pampanga (July 4 and 5), Tarlac (July 8), Urdaneta and Dagupan in Pangasinan (July 10), Baguio, Benguet (July 12), San Fernando, La Union (July 15), Vigan, Ilocos Sur (July 17), Laoag, Ilocos Norte (July 19), Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley (July 24), Cauayan, Isabela (July 26), Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (July 29), Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija (July 31), and Marilao, Bulacan (August 2).

Phase 2 will be held in September, and will cover South Luzon area: The Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (September 2), Antipolo in Rizal (September 4), Bacoor, Cavite (September 6), Santa Rosa, Laguna (September 9), Lipa, Batangas (September 11), Calapan, Mindoro (September 13), Lucena, Quezon (September 16), Boac, Marinduque (September 18), Naga, Camarines Sur (September 20), Legaspi, Albay (September 23), and Puerto Princesa, Palawan (TBD).

Phase 3 will cover the Visayas region and will be held during November. The cities set to be visited are Catbalogan, Samar (November 4), Tacloban and Ormoc, Leyte (November 6), Tagbilaran, Bohol (November 8), Cebu City (November 11), Iloilo, Panay (November 15), Bacolod, Negros Occidental (November 18), and Dumaguete, Negros Oriental (November 20).

Phase 4 will cover the Mindanao area, and will be held in January and February 2020.

The LTFRB also announced the new nationwide routes of modern PUVs during the launch program.

IPC, for its part, brought in and showcased the brand-new Isuzu QKR77 and NLR77 light-duty trucks configured as modernized PUVs (BPS PNS compliant) with body developed by one of the country’s leading body builders, Almazora Motors Corporation, Centro Manufacturing Corporation, and Santa Rosa Motor Works Inc.

IPC was also instrumental in helping the government kick off the PUVMP program in June 2018, when the Japanese truck manufacturer supplied the modern PUVs for the program's pilot operator the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO).

According to IPC President Hajime Koso, the Modern PUV Caravan 2019 provides a great opportunity for more Filipino commuters to be made more aware of the numerous benefits of riding in modern PUVs in their localities, and for transport cooperatives to gain easier access to acquiring such vehicles.