Public Transport Systems and Policies and Programs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr): Basis of an Enhanced Re-Engineering Program

Abstract

This study assessed public transport policies and programs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the basis for an enhanced jeepney re-engineering program in the northern National Capital Region of the Philippines. The descriptive, predominantly quantitative survey involved 350 respondents from Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela: 300 commuters, 25 jeepney drivers, and 25 operators. A structured five-part questionnaire collected ratings on safety, comfort, affordability, emissions, livelihood, mobility, satisfaction, equity, implementation challenges, and proposed measures. The study used weighted means, analysis of variance, and Pearson product–moment correlation. Respondents generally agreed with the perceived benefits of existing policies (overall means of 3.10–3.16 across four dimensions) and programs (composite means of 3.02–3.10 across five dimensions). Group assessments differed significantly for policy affordability (F = 4.521) and for four program-benefit dimensions (F = 5.110–10.502), but not for policy safety, comfort, or emissions or program livelihood support. Policy and program perceptions showed a moderate positive relationship (r = .4201, p = .0012). The overall seriousness of implementation challenges was rated 3.28, with modernization costs (3.46) and perceived disadvantage of small operators (3.37) ranking highest. Respondents highly recommended financial assistance, transparent consultation, and capacity building. Based on these perceptions, the study proposed the Policy for Advancing Sustainable and Accountable Drivers and Automotive Modernization Outcomes (PASADAMO). The findings support a stakeholder-sensitive modernization approach; neither technical retrofitting performance nor the proposed policy’s implementation effects were evaluated.