Starting May 16, unconsolidated jeepneys will be classifiied as “colorums” which may face penalties including vehicle impoundment, suspensions ranging from 30 days to one year, and fines amounting to P10,000 to P50,000.
These directives are part of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
On the same day, transport groups MANIBELA and PISTON held a picket protest in front of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to slam what they referred to as a nationwide crackdown following such directive. They argued that the PTMP as well as the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order 2023-022 would only jeopardize small operators and jeepney drivers who remain unconsolidated.
Double whammy
44-year-old jeepney driver Americo Menil performed his rendition of the 1978 renowned folk rock song “Ang Buhay Ko” by Asin, with adapted lyrics: “Jeepney driver ang buhay na aking tinataglay, ito rin ang dahlia kung ba’t ang tao, ang bayan ngayon ay lumalaban.”
Menil said he wrote the adapted lyrics during their mobilization in Congress last May 6.
“Ginawa ko iyon noong gabi na iyon, galing pa ako sa biyahe. Binuo ko ang kantang iyon para maiparating sa kapwa ko jeepney driver at sa mga namumuno ng sektor ng transportasyon na hindi pa tapos ang laban,” Menil shared.
[I did that on that very evening, coming straight from my trip. I composed that song to convey to my fellow jeepney drivers and to the leaders of the transportation sector that the fight is not yet over]
Menil has been a jeepney driver for fifteen (15) years, plying Dasmariñas to Baclaran route. But before this, he was among the workers laid off from ABS-CBN in 2000.
“Dati po akong audio crew sa ABS-CBN. Iyon ‘yong nagrevamp sila na kung sino ang gustong mag-resign ay o-offeran ka ng 1:3,” Menil said.
[I used to be work as audio crew at ABS-CBN. That was during their revamp, where if you wanted to resign, they would offer you a 1:3 deal”
The said 1:3 ratio means an employee will receive three times their retirement pay.
According to Menil, they were forced to lay-off due to the entry of agencies, specifically the Internal Job Market (IJM) adopted by the ABS-CBN that converted all workers into contractual employees.
“Mahalaga po sa akin itong kabuhayan ko ngayon dahil ito ang pangunahing pinagkukunan namin sa pang-araw-araw. Diyan na ako nag-mature sa mga pagdedesisyon at pangarap ko. Sa mga anak ko, pangarap kong makapagpatapos ko sila sa pamamagitan ng aking pamamasada,” Menil shared.
[This livelihood is important to me now because it is our main source of daily sustenance. It’s where I’ve matured in making decisions and pursuing my dreams. For my children, I dream of being able to send them to school through my work as a driver]
He also lamented on the situation of his children forced to take part time jobs to compensate their schooling because of the phaseout threat
“Imbes na makapag-aral lang sila, napipilitan sila ngayon mag-part time job sa apat na oras, anim na oras. Yong isa sa Jollibee. Ang isa naman sa convenience store. Naaawa ako,” Menil said tearfully.
[Instead of just focusing on their studies, they are now forced to work part-time for four to six hours. One works at Jollibee, while another works at a convenience store. It saddens me]
Piliin ang Pilipinas, Piliin ang jeepney!
“Hindi makatarungan ang hakbang na crackdown ng rehimeng Marcos. Sa panghuhuli sa mga drayber at operator at pag-iimpound ng mga jeepney, lalo lamang pinapalala ang paghihirap ng mga mamamayang komyuter—mga manggagawa at estudyante—na kumakaharap sa tumitinding kawalan ng trabaho sa gitna ng krisis sa bansa ngayon,” said PISTON in a statement.
[The crackdown by the Marcos regime is unjust. By apprehending drivers and operators and impounding jeepneys, the suffering of commuter citizens—workers and students—in the midst of the country’s crisis is only worsened due to the increasing unemployment]
Transport groups noted that many jeepney drivers and operators are only forced to undergo franchise consolidation amid fear of losing their livelihood. Additionally, some are also withdrawing from consolidation due to discrepancies within their cooperatives.
Since 2017, PISTON and MANIBELA alongside commuters groups slammed the PTMP/PUVMP which compelling small operators and drivers to surrender their individual franchises in cooperatives or corporations. Upon consolidating, they are required to procure imported air-conditioned minibuses amounting 1.4 million cash or about 2.8 million if bought on loan.
In accordance to PTMP, DOTr noted that traditional jeepneys will be replaced by imported ones equipped with Euro 4 or electrically-powered engines. However, transport groups have since averred that there are many local industries capable of meeting the modernization requirements.
“Kahit dalawang linggo na matapos ang April 30 deadline, hindi pa rin naglalabas ng konkretong plano ang gobyerno para sa suporta at pagpapanatili ng kabuhayan ng mga drayber at operator na tumatangging pumaloob sa consolidation,” PISTON noted.
[Even two weeks after the April 30 deadline, the government has yet to release a concrete plan to support and sustain the livelihoods of drivers and operators who refuse to participate in consolidation.]
The group demanded that the government should first carry out its clear directive and plan for route rationalization or the Local Public Transport Route Planning (LPTRP), especially in Metro Manila.
In a 2022 study by PISTON Panay, it underscored LTPRP’s significant effects particularly on passengers including the long queues at boundary terminals, the fatigue of getting on and off vehicles, and the additional costs in fares.
“Hindi dapat isakripisyo ang mahahalagang serbisyong pampublikong transportasyon habang ang gobyerno ay nananatiling delulu at mapagpanggap na “umuunlad” daw diumano ang ating ekonomiya,” PISTON assailed.
[Crucial public transportation services should not be sacrificed while the government remains delusional and pretends that our economy is supposedly ‘progressing’]