TRANSPORT group Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) on Wednesday, June 24, slammed the government’s move to allow modern jeepneys to resume limited operations ahead of the regular public utility jeepneys (PUJ).
In a House committee hearing on Metro Manila development, Fejodap president Zenaida Maranan raised the concerns of jeepney drivers who have lost their source of income since the government banned public transportation in March as a measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Gusto naming malaman sa DOTr (Department of Transportation) at LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), magsabi na sila ng totoo upang ihanda ang driver at operator na alisin kami,” Maranan said.
“Nakakasigurado kaming aalisan kami ng karapatan dito sa hanay namin ng transport,” she added.
(Let the DOTr and LTFRB tell the truth so that jeepney operators and drivers would be able to brace for the day they would be removed as a public transport.)
According to Maranan, jeepney drivers have resorted to begging due to the lack of income.
“Marami na pong namamalimos, marami na pong nag-iisip papaano sila mangho-holdup para magkakaroon ng kakainin,” she said.
Maranan said several drivers have already asked for consolidation fees, but they were denied by the government.
“Magfa-file kami ng consolidation fees, tapos hindi kami bibigyan. Ngayon niyo pa tinapat sa pandemic kung kailan hindi pumapasok ang ayuda sa amin,” she said.
She said jeepney drivers can recondition their vehicles in accordance with the government’s health safety protocols, but they could not afford the fees for the repair.
“Iyong pandemic, social distancing sa jeepneys, nakahanda na po kami, hindi lang pinapagawa ang aming sasakyan dahil aabutin ng ₱2,000 to ₱3,000. Ngayon, gagastos kami nang hindi kami papatakbuhin?” Maranan said.
Manila 1st District Representative Manuel Luiz Lopez, chair of the committee, said public transportation is necessary during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that traditional jeepneys must be utilized in order to meet commuter demand.
“We have to be realistic. Modern jeepneys cannot accommodate commuter demand. Traditional jeepneys must be utilized for now,” Lopez said.
“A vast majority of people in Manila are totally reliant on public transport,” he said.
Launched in 2017, the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) aims to phase out old jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles that have been running for 15 years or older.
The old jeepneys will be replaced by electronic-powered or Euro 4 compliant vehicles.
Transport groups say the program is “anti-poor” as it forces small operators and drivers to secure loans to buy new vehicles. (SunStar Philippines)