By Manny N. de los Reyes
RESIDENTS and tourists of Boracay Island will not only get to enjoy one of the world’s best beaches, they will now also get to travel around this tropical paradise in utmost comfort, convenience, and safety on board the Isuzu modern public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of commercial vehicles and trucks, turned over recently the initial two units of its modernized PUV to the Boracay Land Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLTMPC) at the cooperatives’ main terminal in Boracay Island. These two units form part of the total 15-vehicle fleet that BLTMPC has acquired from IPC.
These modernized PUVs will ply the main circumferential road that goes around the interior of the island, picking up and dropping off passengers at designated stops.
Joseph Bautista, IPC Sales Division head, described the turnover as happening at just the right time. “In the past few months, we have seen the earnest rehabilitation of Boracay Island; from its beaches toward the road network and infrastructure. And now that the island has just recently been reopened to the public, we are very happy to have been a strategic part of this rehabilitation. With a cleaner, more organized Boracay, you will now also see Isuzu modernized PUVs servicing the island’s residents and tourists.”
He added that Isuzu’s modern PUVs have also been designed and built in accordance to the objective of the Boracay rehabilitation efforts to make the island environmentally sustainable.
“The modernized PUVs are assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform which has been modified for PUV use. These are powered by the 3.0-liter 4JH1-TC CRDI diesel engine that delivers 106 Ps of power with better fuel economy. The engine is also rated Euro IV compliant, so it produces cleaner emissions,” Mr. Bautista explained.
Yasuhiko Oyama, IPC vice-president for Sales, also lauded the Filipino mark of excellence in the construction and design of Isuzu’s modern PUV: “The Isuzu QKR PUV is truly a vehicle for Filipinos made by Filipinos. As they say in the native language, “Gawang Pilipino, para sa Pilipino.”
The Isuzu modern PUV’s body has been designed and built by all-Filipino body builder and long-time partner of IPC, Almazora Motors Corporation. This Isuzu modern PUV can accommodate up to 30 passengers (seated and standing). The fully air-conditioned cabin by Coolaire means that all passengers can travel comfortably even during the hottest summers, with enough legroom, headroom, and seat space in a Class 2 PUV.
The modern PUVs are also equipped with accessories as required by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), such as CCTVs and dashcam, GPS tracking system, and automated electronic fare collection system. The automatic doors also face the sidewalk for safe and convenient entry and exit of passengers.
Mr. Oyama thanked BLTMPC for choosing Isuzu. “We thank the cooperative for trusting us in providing them their first fleet of modern PUVs. Undoubtedly, Isuzu has already created a name for Filipino drivers and operators as their reliable partner. We are very proud to say that Isuzu has not only achieved another milestone but has also continued its legacy by having these Isuzu PUVs to run in Boracay’s roads under the government’s PUV modernization program (PUVMP).”
He encouraged other transport cooperatives across the country to already make that switch to safer, cleaner, more convenient, and more reliable modernized PUVs. “Do check out our modernized Isuzu PUVs. Inquire about their specifications and features at any IPC dealership near you.”
