Malolos Karatig Cooperative

Karatig Jeepney

City of Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines – Amid the government’s transport modernization program that will phase out traditional public utilities jeep (PUJ’s). This city intends to showcase these iconic jeepneys to promote its tourist destinations and it’s rich history.

Tourist who will visit here will have an easier time navigating the narrow streets to historic spots now that the city government has tapped the local jeepneys, called “Karatig” here to ferry them for free.

History of Jeepneys, 1950’s

In history, back in the World War II era, Americans brought those vehicles used in fighting with the Japanese, a vehicle brand named “Jeep”. As the war faded out, together with the Americans left the country, these jeeps remained. We know Filipinos are so resourceful and creative that is when they made these vehicles as a medium of transportation and livelihood. The word Jeepney is a portmanteau of the words Jeep and Jitney.

Jeeps, are rugged military purpose vehicles not unlike the ones we see in today’s streets. It is a slang word for “GP” or General Purpose vehicles.

Jeepneys in the Philippines are considered the “Kings of the Road”. They are ubiquitous as they can be found everywhere from the busy streets of the nation’s capital to the rural back roads and farms in the countryside, they are practically everywhere you need them to be. The jeepney rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to re-establish inexpensive public transportation, much of which had been destroyed during World War II.

The country’s main transportation systems at the time, mainly Cable Cars, Tranvias, and Train Systems were severely damaged. With the country in disrepair, and a population needing urgent means of transportation, ingenuity blossomed.

Karatig Jeepneys

Your Malolos tour will not be complete if you do not experience riding the mini version of typical jeepney around Malolos. Karatig, which literally translates to “nearby”, accommodates commuters who wish to reach short distance travels are within the baranggays of Malolos. According to City Administrator Attorney Rizaldy Mendoza, Karatig has almost 4,000 of it’s kind as it has been convenient transportation in the city. Malolos is known for its Karatig Jeepneys which serves as an intra-city public transportation.. The Karatig jeepney is the smaller version of the jeepneys which usually have the size of about 3-meters long and can board 8-10 commuters at the back plus 2 passengers in the front seat. Longer models can accommodate about 10-12. Its capacity varies according to the jeep’s length and size. There are two Karatig routes around Malolos. These Karatig Jeepney have different routes that spans less than 14 kilometers. From normal and typical Bayan-Capitol-Lugam, while some karatig jeepneys have Bayan-Fausta-Maunlad routes. Natividad said the karatig jeep should remain operating for the public because it is the only type of PUJ that could fit in the narrow and small roads of Paseo del Congreso.

The karatig (roughly translated means adjacent or nearby places) jeep is a shorter version of the Sarao PUJ, which later became known as “Hari ng Kalsada” (king of the road) and one of Manila’s cultural symbols.

Karatig also has its own distinct features, resembling closer to the metallic US military jeep left behind by American soldiers. Rollie Marcelino, being asked how karatig helps the tourism, said the same answer, tourists may experience riding on a miniature version of jeepneys in Manila.

In the past years, city tourism, arts, culture and sports division head Armando Sta. Ana, organized a small event called “Sining sa Karatig” wherein karatigs were dressed with different colors and arts by using paints in its outer appearance.

A visit to Barasoain Church, Museum of the Women of Malolos and the old houses-turned-national government offices during the First Philippine Republic period more than a century ago, will now be made by riding the Karatig jeepneys for free as part of the city government’s effort to preserve the iconic jeepneys that will be sidelined by the modernization program. Local historian Isagani Giron, 71, told the Inquirer in an interview on April 13 that American soldiers left these jeeps to local guerrillas in Malolos in the 1950s, or after World War II ended. The local guerrillas then converted and innovated them as commuter karatig jeeps in the 1950s to generate income for their families. Since then, the karatig jeepneys plied the Malolos-Bayan-Kapitolyo route as the only PUJ that is allowed to traverse along the historical Paseo del Congreso road. Over the years, the Karatig jeepneys have expanded their routes to other significant areas in the city. The city government has yet to announce the exact date when the karatig jeeps will be available to ferry tourists for free but Natividad said talks between the city government and Makata have already started.