Rappler reports struggles of jeepney drivers against “modernization”

CHEERS TO Rappler for its report highlighting the perspectives of traditional jeepney drivers on the government’s “modernization” program. The report delved into the factors that hamper their participation.

Rappler’s Lance Spencer Yu interviewed Danilo Santos, a jeepney driver for 26 years, who called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fulfill the promises he made to the transport sector during the 2022 campaign. Yu recalled Marcos’ promises then: a “decent home,” and livelihood programs for drivers and their families, along with the Public Transport Consumers Tax Bill, which when passed would allocate funds for the modernization program. 

President Duterte had initiated the jeepney modernization program. It was resisted by drivers and operators, many of whom own old jeepney units. Full implementation was stalled by the pandemic and the lockdowns. 

The new administration has picked up on the implementation, but resistance and opposition continue mainly because of the costs of upgrading units with little to no government support. The report said that according to operators, the cost of a conventional jeepney ranges from PHP150,000 to PHP250,000, while a modern unit can cost more than PHP2 million.

With a daily income of only PHP 2,000, Santos said he would need to earn at least PHP 3,500 daily to be able to pay for a new unit. Santos said he is too old to overwork: “63 na ako – eh kung kukuha pa ko, mababayaran ko pa kaya ‘yon? ‘Yon ang hindi naiintindihan ng ating gobyerno.”  (I’m already 63 – if I get that, could I even pay for it? That’s what our government doesn’t understand.)

The PUV program provides operators who opt to shift a PHP160,000 equity subsidy to assist with their loans. But even with financial assistance, they are daunted by the indebtedness that  the upgrade would subject them to. 

Jereck, an operator from Pateros-Guadalupe, expressed his dismay by saying that his savings for four years would amount to nothing if he got into debt. “Wala akong utang, nagkautang ako ng milyon-milyon! Saan naman ako makakakuha ng milyon? Isang kahig, isang tuka na nga lang kami eh.” (I’d suddenly have millions in debt! Where am I supposed to get millions? We’re just living hand-to-mouth here.)

Issues with consolidation

Transport groups have to deal with another huge concern in addition to the financial issue. They consider the required franchise consolidation to be anti-small operators. PISTON, a transport group, said in a statement that only big corporations can buy the 15 required units; small operators and cooperatives will be left behind. 

Romeo, an individual operator, disliked the thought of joining a cooperative to comply with consolidation. Since the jeepney will be named under the entity instead of the driver, Romeo worried this might be a hit-or-miss situation: “Paano pag nalugi? Paano pag hindi magaling ‘yung humahawak? Malugi ‘yung korporasyon? Talo ka.” (What if they lose money? What if the ones handling us aren’t good, and the corporation goes bankrupt? You lose.)

As of press time, the deadline for jeepney consolidation has been extended to December 31. Yu’s report cited the clarification of Joel Bolano, head of the technical division of the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), who said that the deadline specifically pertains to the consolidation of drivers into cooperatives. After this deadline, drivers who have not yet consolidated will still be allowed to operate their traditional jeepneys. This has not appeased the likes of Danilo who represents the old drivers; Romeo, who operates independently; and Jereck, who recently acquired a traditional jeep.

While the cost of modernization continues to be a major and possibly the most obvious challenge to its successful implementation, media reports on the strike should also identify how policy gaps can be addressed and what compromises can be explored. The government should reconsider the burden it imposes on a group of people whose source of livelihood is threatened, with severe consequences on the population that depends daily on the service provided by the drivers and their jeepneys.