‘Anti-poor,’ threat to economy: Jeepney drivers, activist groups condemn phaseout component of PUVMP

Jeepney drivers usually begin plying their routes at dawn, especially on weekdays, since a lot of commuters go to school or work. But it was a different Monday morning on Mar. 6 for 46-year-old Joel Giray.

It was already past 8 AM and he was just sitting in his jeepney’s driver seat parked at a garage along Blumentritt Rd. near España Blvd., waiting for the go signal, when he, together with his fellow drivers, could join the supposedly week-long transport strike and lament the government’s impending plan to phase out traditional jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

“Ang sinasabi kasi sa amin sa hearing, extension [ng franchise consolidation]. Ibig sabihin, may posibilidad na phaseout pa rin kami. Ang gusto po namin mangyari, ibasura na ‘yong usapan na ‘yon,” Giray, who is also a member of the Manibela transport group, said.

The phaseout, as part of the first component of the program, urges jeepney operators to join and form cooperatives or corporations by Dec. 31— the extended franchise consolidation deadline, which the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) initially set on June 30 under Memorandum Circular 2023-013. This is to help them attain loans to purchase modernized jeepneys that cost PhP 2.4 to PhP 2.8 million per unit, including a 6 percent interest rate per annum, seven years to pay.

Dismay and fear

“May sarili kaming jeep, wala kaming utang. Tapos kukunin sa amin yung jeep, may utang pa kami? Ano na mangyayare n’on? Para kaming ginisa sa sarili naming mantika,” Giray said.

Some transport groups deemed the program as anti-poor since drivers and operators will bear the burden of modernizing their vehicles.

“Kino-condemn namin ang proposal ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) at LTFRB doon sa balangkas ng 2017-011 sapagkat mawawash-out ang halos lahat ng mga driver at operator [...] wala silang kapasidad na bumili ng masyadong matataas na halaga ng mga modernized jeepneys na nilalako sa ating bansa,” Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) National Chairperson Modesto “Mody” Floranda told the Six Stars Capitol.

“Kung talagang seryoso ang gobyerno sa usapin ng pag-aayos sa mga serbisyo, kailangan sa balangkas ng rehabilitation, hindi sa kailangan bumili ka ng bago, ng mga sinasabi nilang modernized pero surplus naman sa Japan ‘yan,” he added.

Like Giray, Camilo Laurente Jr., 52, who also joined the protest at Blumentritt Rd. along Rizal Ave., also expressed consternation about the issue at hand as he fears its implications once his only source of income is taken away from him in a snap.

“Aalisin kami parang mawawla rin kami sa mundo,” he said.

Echoing Laurente’s views is 52-year-old Roberto Cayubit, who plys his routes every day to have the budget to buy his maintenance medicine and raise his three children.

“Lehitimong hanap-buhay ko po ‘to. Dito ko pinag-aaral ang mga anak ko, dito ko pinakakain. Biruin mo kapag na phaseout po yan, kagaya ng edad ko, ano pang trabaho ang papasukin ko?” Cayubit said. “Dito ko rin po kinukuha yung pambili ng gamot ko dahil nagme-maintenance po ako.”

‘Ang laban ng tsuper ay laban din ng komyuter’

Consequently, jeepney drivers were not the only ones fearing and calling against the impending phaseout that caused the strike.

“As a student na nagco-commute at jeep ang pangunahing method of transportation, hassle siya (tigil-pasada). Buti na lang sa school namin, hindi nagconduct ng face-to-face classes this week dahil doon sa strike,” 20-year-old Aleesha Sy of Binondo said.

Youth-led mass organizations were also present with the transport groups as they carried out their protests in various areas in Manila like Blumentritt, Morayta, Divisoria, Sta Mesa, Pedro Gil and Mendiola, to name a few.

“Malinaw na malinaw, doon sa modernization program, walang pakialam para sa mga commuter at mga operator [...] inilalagay nito sa peligro ang mas maraming commuter na mapipinsala ng pagtaas ng presyo ng pamasahe para bawiin ‘yong napakramaming inutang mula doon sa mga bangkong ‘yon para sa palpak na modernization program?” League of Filipino Students (LFS) National Chairperson Ivan Sucgang, 23, told the Six Stars Capitol after his discourse at the Mendiola Peace Arc.

On Oct. 3 of last year, the LTFRB approved the PhP 1 provisional increase in the minimum fare for the first four kilometers of travel for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), making the minimum fare for traditional PUJs up to PhP 12, and the modern PUJs up to PhP 14.

“Hindi dapat nilalagay sa balikat ng ating mga tsuper at operator kundi dapat, shino-shoulder ng gobyerno kasi ‘yan nga ‘yong purpose ba’t sila nandyan eh ‘yong tulungan ang mamamayan. Pero kapag tsuper ang gagastos para sa unit, commuter ang gagastos para sa pamasahe, ano na lang ang ginawa ng gobyerno? Wala na,” Sucgang added.

Recent fare hikes in the country, according to reports from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), also contributed to rising inflation rates. The Philippines’ headline inflation rate in October climbed to 7.7 percent coming off 6.9 percent in September.

Anakbayan member Mau Miranda, 21, also said that she recognizes that she and her fellow youth are commuters as well and that her organization’s participation in the strike is not only in support of the jeepney drivers and operators, but also to protect the impending compromises that commuters like her may face should the phaseout progresses.

“Alam natin na mababaon sa utang yung mga jeepney drivers at operators sa kasalukuyan kung sila ay bibili ng ganon kamahal na 2.4 hanggang 2.6 million na presyo ng modern jeepney kaya ang laban nitong mga tsuper at laban ng mga operator ay laban din naman ng mga commuters,” she added.

Protecting the local industry

Floranda said that the government should prioritize focusing more on the development of the country’s local industry that produces machinery and equipment to upgrade traditional jeepneys before considering imports abroad, asserting that the Philippines is rich in raw materials needed for these resources.

“Nasa atin ang mina ng bakal, tanso, aluminum, hanggang rubber ay nasa atin, pati langis ay nasa atin. Nagiging problema,[...] lagi tayong nakatunghay sa ibayong dagat, hindi tayong nakatingin sa sarili nating inaapakang lupa,” the Piston chief said.

Youth groups noted the same sentiments as the phaseout plan, which, according to them, would make the Philippines even more dependent on imports, unconsciously neglecting the progression of the local industry.

“Ang mga modern jeepney, para ayusin mo, kailangan mong i-import ang mga sirang piyesa ‘di ba? Eh ang tanong natin, paano aambag ‘yong modernization program na ‘yan, sa self-sustainability natin bilang isang bansa, at hindi niya tayo itatali sa mga imports mula sa Korea, sa Japan, at sa iba pang mga bansa?” Sucgang said.

According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s free on board (FOB) value for imports in December 2022 amounted to USD 10.2 million, while exports only had USD 5.67 million. This resulted in a balance of trade (BoT) of USD -4.6 million.

A favorable BoT occurs when a country’s value of exports exceeds its value of imports.

Stand made clear

The transport and youth groups made it clear that they support the idea of modernization but not in a way that the government currently proposes.

“Hindi tayo tutol (sa modernization), sapagkat wala pang programa ang gobyerno, tayo ay 78 years nang nagrerehabilitation ng ating mga jeepney,” Floranda said.

“Ang unang kailangang sagutin sa lahat ng nainira ng strike na ito, hindi kami tutol sa modernization. Hindi kami tutol sa pag-unlad. Ngunit kung ang pag-unlad na ‘yon, ang nakasalalay, maiiwan ang mga driver, ang mga operator natin, para kanino ba talaga yang pag-unlad na ‘yan?” Sucgang emphasized. “Hindi naman nagbabago ‘yong program, inuusod lang ‘yong deadline.”

The program was issued in 2017 under Department Order (D.O.) No. 2017-011, also known as the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance. The deadline for franchise consolidation has been extended multiple times since then.

“Hindi kami tutol dyan (sa modernization), kaso ang problema, i-phe-phaseout nila yung mga lumang jeep. Dapat ‘di nila i-phaseout ‘yon,” Laurente said.

During a press conference on the week-long transport strike last Monday, the LFTRB said that the Dec. 31 deadline could still be extended to 2024 until all requirements for franchise consolidation are accomplished.

“‘Yong nilabas namin na deadline, June 30 ay babaguhin po namin, that wil be extending the deadline to Dec. 31. During that time po, yung ibang deadlines din po para sa completion ng modernization ay i-uurong din po namin lahat so effective po ‘yon hanggang mga 2024 po bago po makumpleto ‘yong first phase po nitong program,” the agency said.

Statement contradiction between parties

On one hand, there also seemed to be a clash between the claims of both the government and the strikers after two days of the rally.

In a press conference on Mar. 6, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Usec. Procopio Lipana announced that the agency was only able to utilize 88 out of the 1680 (5 percent) vehicle assets they prepared to accommodate passengers that will be affected by the transport paralyzation that may be caused by the transport strike, especially in Manila.

“Dyan po natin makikita na konti lamang yung sumama sa tigil-pasada at mas marami pong operators at drivers ang mas pinili na bumyahe [...] siguro naramdaman po ng mga na hindi sumama sa rally na sinsero ang ating pangulo na bigyan ng panibagong pagkakataon na pag-usapan itong PUV Modernization para yung mga tumututol, marinig po yung kanilang mga hinaing at mapag-usapan po at mahanapan ng solusyon,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

On the other hand, during an exclusive interview with the Six Stars Capitol, Floranda claimed that the transport strike was successful, saying that it paralyzed about 90 percent of public transportation in Metro Manila.

“Sumasalamin ito na malakas ang pakikilahok ng ating mga kasama at syempre ang paglahok ng mga mamamayan at ating mga pasahero,” the Piston chief asserted.

“Mismong sa kalagitnaan ng strike, tayo ay pinatawag ng Office of the Secretary ng Malacanang [...] kung mahina yung mass movement, kung mahina yung paglahok ng mga mamamayan, hindi tayo papatawag ng Malacanang,” he added.

Manibela and Piston announced on Wednesday that the week-long transport strike would not push through after the transport groups met with Palace officials to discuss the matter.

Piston, among other transport groups and activist groups, joined the protest in Mendiola, Manila on Mar. 6.

Floranda mentioned that out of six demands which were aired during their private meeting with the Palace, some of their grievances were considered.

1. Review the Department Order No. 2017-11, or more known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which was issued by the DOTr.

1. Bring back a five-year franchise to public transports nationwide.

1. Jeepneys would no longer be phased out, based on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s mandate which was agreed upon by the office of the Secretary,

“Malinaw yung sinasabi ni BBM sa gitna ng aming pagkikilos […] Ang sabi niya na kahit 10 years, 25 years o mas higit pa, basta may compliance, walang dahilan para i-phaseout ang mga pampublikong transport,” Floranda added.

Although Marcos once urged transport groups to reconsider the supposed week-long strike on Mar. 1, the President vowed that he will review the jeepney modernization program.

Despite the transport strike concluding midway and operations resuming shortly after, Floranda noted that this would not be the end of their continuous call for a progressive, efficient and sustainable transport system that benefits not only drivers and operators, but commuters as well.

“Hindi tayo hihinto hanggang hindi nare-resolve ang usapin ng franchising deadlines […] Ang isa sa mga naging kaisahan sa dialogue ay rerepasuhin ang franchising deadlines at tayo ay magiging bahagi na sa muling pag-aaral ng mga probisyon ukol sa isyu,” Floranda said.

by Jose Gabriel V. Ignacio and Jia Bote