Chapter 141: The Grand Opening of the New Enterprise

February 01, 2026.

It was a quiet Sunday morning, and Michael sat in the comfort of his office, his gaze fixed intently on the television. The room was filled with the low murmur of the news broadcast, which today was focused on a topic that had become increasingly significant in his life: the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Law.

The law was now in full effect, marking the end of an era for the traditional jeepneys that had been a cultural and transport mainstay in the Philippines for decades.

The screen showed images of the city streets, where signs of change were evident. Areas once bustling with the colorful, iconic jeepneys were now dominated by the modern, standardized PUVs, designed to offer safer, more reliable, and environmentally friendly public transportation. The reporter on the scene was on the curbside interviewing commuters.

"How will it affect you now that the traditional jeepneys are gone?" asked the reporter.

"Well...it's hard to say because it's Sunday today. Tomorrow it will be different because a lot of people will go to work and school, so we'll really see the impact then," responded a commuter, her tone mixed with apprehension and curiosity. "I guess it's cleaner and more organized, but the jeepneys had their charm and were cheaper for short trips."

The camera then shifted to a middle-aged man who had just alighted from one of the new PUVs. "This is more comfortable, definitely," he admitted, adjusting his briefcase. "The air conditioning and the new seats are a big improvement. But I'm thinking about those jeepney drivers; what happens to them now?"

Then a new scene popped up in the screen, showing jeepney drivers and operators gathering at a local government office, some of them submitting applications and inquiring about the retraining programs and financial assistance mentioned by the officials.

"So it's starting huh?" Michael said as he took a sip of his coffee. Then his phone vibrated.

He glanced at it and saw the caller ID, it was from Juliet. He picked it up and answered the call.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Reyes, I'm at the terminal in Cubao managing things. Ms. Reimann and Mrs. Estolas will be here for the grand opening of the terminal, when are you going to

arrive?"

"I'll be there in an hour," Michael replied, glancing at his watch and calculating the time needed to reach the terminal. "Make sure everything is in place for the grand opening."

"Understood, sir. Everything is nearly set up here. The new EcoRider buses are already attracting attention, and the media setup is ready for your speech and the ribbon-cutting ceremony," Juliet informed him.

"Great, and how are the drivers and staff feeling about today?" Michael asked, concerned about the human aspect of his business transition.

"Thank you, Juliet," Michael said, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He turned to greet Psylemon with a nod and a smile, acknowledging his classmate's presence before focusing on the task at hand.

Psylemon, standing a bit to the side, gave Michael an encouraging thumbs-up, clearly proud of his friend's achievements.

As Michael took his place at the podium, he could feel the weight of the moment.

"Good morning, everyone," Michael began, his voice clear and confident, amplified by the microphone. "Today marks a significant milestone not just for EcoRider, but for the entire public transportation industry in our country. We stand here on the brink of a new era—an era of cleaner, safer, and more efficient public transport.

I know it's hard for us to accept that our traditional jeepneys have to evolve, but it's a step we must take for the betterment of our cities and the health of our people."

Michael paused, letting his words sink in among the crowd.

"We at EcoRider are committed to easing this transition. We've worked closely with former jeepney drivers, offering training and employment opportunities in our new fleet. We're not just launching new buses today; we're starting a movement towards sustainable urban mobility."

He glanced around, seeing nods of approval and faces filled with hope.

"As we cut this ribbon, we're not just opening a terminal; we're paving the way for a greener, more connected future. Let's embark on this journey together."

With that, Michael stepped down from the podium, approached the ceremonial ribbon stretched across the entrance of the terminal. He took the scissors handed to him by Juliet, lifted them high, and then cut the ribbon amid cheers and applause.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, amidst the applause and flashing cameras, Psylemon approached Michael, a broad smile on his face, accompanied by an older man who wore a proud expression. This was Psylemon's father, a seasoned jeepney driver whose livelihood had been directly affected by the modernization program.

"Michael, I can't thank you enough," Psylemon said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Because of you, my father has a new lease on life."

Michael turned to Psylemon's father, extending a hand. "It's an honor to have you join our team," he said warmly. "Your experience is invaluable to us, and I'm confident you'll be a great asset to EcoRider."

Psylemon's father, now wearing the new EcoRider uniform, shook Michael's hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Reyes. I was worried about what the future held for me and my fellow drivers, but now I feel hopeful again. I'm ready to learn and to start this new journey."

As he was talking to them, Juliet, Antoneitte, and Bridget approached him. Michael noticed them and spoke.

"Oh right, perfect time, I want to discuss something with you three."