Limlingan: Why strike

WHENEVER there are transport strikes that are staged in the country, most of not all activities of man outside their homes are paralyzed. There are some people however like many students who are spared from having their classes are happy. Many however are not amused to such kind of protest due to the inconvenience they bring to people who cannot report for work and the employers who cannot have their workers in workplaces.

The reason for the strike was due to the public transport groups' bid to stop the government's modernization program of public transport. According to the same, the government is phasing-out public utility vehicles, mostly jeepneys by next year, which are 15 years old or more.

For those jeepneys that are old enough to be phased-out, they have to apply for soft loan packages which the government in partnership with financing institutions, for their purchase, assembly or fabrication of modernized jeepneys.

The modernized jeepneys that are being pushed by the government are said to be euro-4 compliant meaning they produce less emissions as compared to those aged and post-war era vehicles. They are more comfortable and road-worthy since these are new.

The intention of the government concerns less air pollution, for the convenience of passengers and the environment also. The riding public also deserves convenient ride too. In addition, the modernized jeepneys are pleasant to the eyes if aesthetics is compared to the old ones.

Undoubtedly, the intention of the government is very good. However, there are many jeepney drivers who cannot actually afford the price of the modernized jeepneys especially those who drive not their own but merely on "boundary" basis. These drivers pay corresponding portion of their earnings to jeepney owners or "operators" which are aptly called.

Further, drivers are somewhat thrown into a force loan should they wanted to have a new vehicle of their own. Since it is a loan, we expect someone to profit from these loans. Although the government is offering some sort of a subsidy for drivers, the latter denounce such due to its small amount.

In this situation, the government should balance the need to modernize jeepneys versus the plight of our poor drivers who simply rely on their day's earning for their families' basic needs. Also, the environment should also be considered since old jeepneys indeed emit harmful toxic gases which are too much for the earth.

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Monday's transport strike seemed to have affected many including the business sector who because of the protest, had many of their workers absent. On the other hand, local government units such as the provincial government and many of the municipalities and barangays in Pampanga and the Philippine National Police were made instant heroes when they offered free rides to stranded public commuters.

Its delighting to see people enjoying their rides in barangay and police patrols in going to their destinations. In times of crisis, there are some entities which can be relied upon such as the Monday's transport strike.

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