Isuzu joins LTFRB’s Modern PUV Caravan 2019

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country's leading assembler and distributor of brand-new Isuzu trucks, joined the LTFRB Modern PUV Caravan 2019, a multisectoral program aimed to promote the nationwide adoption of modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) towards a cleaner, safer, more convenient, more efficient, and more organized mass transport system, and thus realizing the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The LTFRB Modern PUV Caravan 2019 started on July 4 with a 5 a.m. motorcade beginning at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, with the convoy arriving at the main office of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga province at 9 a.m. for the launch program.

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).

The program launch in Clark was highlighted by various presentations by the different participating groups on their roles in the ongoing PUVMP, as well as the unveiling of a Modern PUV Showcase that displays the various new PUVs designed, developed, and built by truck manufacturers and local vehicle body builders.

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.

Modernized PUVs from Isuzu can now be seen plying various routes in Metro Manila and across the Philippines and have met local and international vehicle manufacturing standards. They have also satisfied PUVMP requirements, such as the automatic fare collection system (AFCS), a GPS tracking system, CCTV cameras and dashcams, and Wi-Fi router.

Apart from the Isuzu modern PUVs offering more legroom, headroom, and seat space for its passengers, the QKR and NLR platform assembled in the Philippines is equipped with the Euro IV-compliant 3.0-liter 4JH1-TC CRDI diesel engine that delivers better fuel economy and cleaner emissions.

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.

The Grand Caravan 2019, with the theme "Modern PUV: Arangkada ng Pagbabago Tungo sa Kaunlaran", has been planned as a series of events starting from the kick off in Clark extending all the way to northern Luzon and to Mindanao.

The Grand Caravan will be held in four phases, with 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.

For more information and the latest updates on the Modern PUV Caravan 2019, log on to www.isuzuphil.com.