By Tracy Anne Cruz

Its been decades since jeepney was introduce to the Filipinos. The use of this vehicle started when the American troops started to leave the Philippines after the World War II. The Americans donated some of the used jeepneys and some of the new ones are sold to local Filipinos. This is where the creativeness and wit of Filipinos, they started to stripped the jeeps and to accommodate more passengers, added metal roofs for shade and designed them with striking and vibrant colors and drawings.

The jeepney suddenly became the talk of the town and also became one of the most cheapest means of transportation. It was then when the government was alarmed by the rapid growth of jeeps on the roads that is when they decides to require all drivers to have specialized license for driving and the jeeps to have its specific route to travel.

Sarao motors is the most popular manufactures of jeepneys in the Philippines. The oldest jeepneys were of origin old American jeeps. They were extended in length by approximately two meters. Inside were put two long seats and the 'jeepneys' were ready to serve as a small bus. The 'first generation' jeepneys were replaced by 'new' jeepneys produced in the Philippines. Small family enterprises built up jeepneys and even a jeepney fabric arose in Sarao, just south of Metro Manila. The fabric "Sarao Motors" went out of business in 2001. (http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/jeepneys1.htm)




Today, jeeps are considered the "king of the road" as you can see them anywhere. From the nearest and up to the hard to reach areas there are still jeeps that you can depend on if you don not have your own vehicle.

It has been part of the daily living of mostly all Filipinos. Wherever you are heading to, work, school, supermarkets, malls, parks, etc. there is always a jeepney to ride to. Though a lot of advanced means of transportation was introduced to us, still we support this industry.

Sneaking through the traffic on the road and streets to the widest road of EDSA (Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue), there came out air-conditioned vehicles which is faster and more comfortable to ride in yet we still search for this hot and noisy ambiance of riding our traditional jeeps.

Even other countries also showed their interest of buying and importing this world class jeeps of the Philippines, one of this is Papua New Guinea.

A lot of other means of transportation has tried but still can't put down this very reliable jeeps.