A traditional jeepney in the Philippines. RAPPLER

Jeepney phaseout sparks week-long transport strike

Following the implementation of the jeepney modernization program by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), transport groups in the Philippines set a week-long protest from Monday (March 6) to Sunday (March 12) against the phaseout of traditional jeepneys. Transport groups Manibela, PISTON, Laban TNVS, and other 40,000 public utility vehicles in Metro Manila would participate in the protest. The demonstration came after LTFRB asserted traditional jeepneys to consolidate into cooperatives and would be required to buy modern jeepneys that cost up to Php2.8 million (Dh190,000) each. Danilo Santos, a jeepney driver, shared with Rappler his disapproval of the modernization of jeepneys. "You are going to get something that costs Php2.5 - Php2.8 (Dh167,490 - Dh190,000). Do you think they can pay the installments for that? Our route is just five kilometers long, and there are other jeeps along this route, too, so what kind of operator will get a minibus that costs that much? Could he even pay for it in installments?" Santos said in Filipino. He also told Rappler that drivers on shorter routes, like his, only make P2,000 (Dh134) per day. He even calculated that they would need to earn at least P3,500 (Dh234) daily to pay the installment. "I hope can understand those below, us drivers. I hope this reaches him and those in the government who keep posting messages without understanding our situation," Santos expressed. Thousands of jeepney drivers could lose their franchises this year. Despite extending the deadline to December 31, jeepney drivers and operators remain feared for their livelihoods to end. RZSP/Expat Media
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