Friday, July 04, 2008 Malilong: Phasing out passenger jeepneys By Frank Malilong The Other Side
LAST Wednesday’s piece in this corner about the need for a mass transport system to replace the ubiquitous jeepneys expectedly drew quite a number of reactions from readers. I thank them for taking the time to write but because of space limitations, I cannot print all the letters.
I have instead chosen a few (including those whose writers couldn’t summon enough courage to fully identify themselves) that I think summarize the views of those who are either for or against the proposal.
From Emy C.D.: “I find it so high-handed and too selfish of you to categorically state that ‘we can do without jeepneys, in fact we’re better off without them.’ Good for you, you drive your own car. How about us, the commuting public?
“I had to walk an hour from work in going home because there were no jeepneys last Monday and I could not afford a taxi. Your article is all about you, you’re too self-absorbed that you forgot to consider the jeepney riding public like me.”
Dear Emy: How awful. That article wasn’t about me; it was all about you, those who had to walk to and from work last Monday because the jeepney drivers decided to go on strike. It was not the first time the jeepneys disappeared from the streets, stranding thousands of commuters, because the drivers and operators wanted something.
I could have chosen to stay silent because after all, like you said, I drive a car and didn’t have to wait like the rest of you. But just because I wasn’t affected doesn’t mean I shouldn’t bother or be bothered.
In saying that jeepneys be permanently kept off the streets, I didn’t propose for you to hike to and from work but only for the authorities to provide an alternative to a transport system that is dependent on unreliable and childish providers.
From Michelle de Guzman: “What you could have done was expand more of a railway transit here or that ‘mass transit system that excludes jeepneys’ concept you carelessly threw in there.”
Dear Michelle: I planted a seed. It’s up to the authorities concerned and even people like you to see to it that it germinates and grows fully. No, I didn’t carelessly throw the concept; I did it willfully, voluntarily and deliberately.
From Anthony Cang: “I haven’t been to Cebu for nine years but I agree with you that the jeepneys should be phased out.
However, it needs political will to do it. I have been hearing this phasing out thing even when I was still there but nothing has come out of it.
“I don’t see changes in the near future. I love our city but with all the news of corruption and mismanagement especially in the national level, I have not much hope.”
Dear Tony: If we don’t see changes during our time, maybe they will in the next generation. Have faith.
From Elrond Reyes: “It was good that they went on strike because it gives the Mayor a very good reason to get rid of these bullying drivers.”
Dear Elron: Amen.
From Tony Padua: “I think of the many years jeepney drivers have ruled the roads in Cebu, and I believe this is the start of a long battle in the war over public opinion. Your comments and mine, hopefully, are read by those influential in Cebu who care enough to make Cebu a better place to live.”
