“Fake modernization.”
This is the description of various groups under the No To Phase-Out Coalition Manila to the “jeepney modernization” scheme of the Duterte government.
The statement was made as members of various jeepney drivers and operators groups in the Balic-Balic-España and Tayuman-Lardizabal routes, Bayan Manila and Anakbayan Metro Manila, held a die-in protest along España Boulevard in Manila today. The people’s protest is part of Piston’s 2-day nationwide transport strike against jeepney and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) phase-out and corporate take-over of our PUV’s.
“Despite harassments from the PNP, the transport strike today is indeed historic as we clearly show the unity of PUV drivers and the people in exposing and opposing the plan of the Duterte government for corporate monopoly control of our country’s public transport sector,” says Joel Miralpes, spokesperson of the No To Jeepney Phase-Out Coalition Manila.
Protesting students and youth groups said that they are one with the plight of the transport groups for this will have direct effects on their sector.
“The promise of more efficient roads under the jeepney modernization scheme of the government is nothing but a hollow pronouncement meant to hide the fact that the government’s top priority is to please big corporations. The jeepney phase-out does not only threaten livelihood of the thousands of jeepney drivers, but it also intensifies the daily struggles of all students,” says Chang Advincula, Anakbayan Metro Manila chairperson.
Along with the jeepney phase out and route rationalization, Advincula mentioned that there is also the threat of an upsurge in the fare matrix. From a minimum fare of P 8.00, electronic jeepneys (e-jeep) and Euro 4 engine jeeps would charge P 20.00 and P 25.00 respectively.
He added, “The looming fare adjustment only means that students, workers and other members of lower income families would have to bear an additional burden aside from their daily problems of food and job security.”
Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra said in media reports that the minimum fare adjustment in the jeepney modernization program would only reach up to P15, not P20 or P25 as the protesters feared, based on a study conducted by the Department of Transportation.
The groups also cried foul over harassment cases that they experienced during their protests today. In Manila, members of the Manila Police District pushed protesters aside as Quezon City cops blocked strikers from holding a peaceful protest along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City.
Ram Carlo Bautista, spokesperson of Bayan Manila added, “We call on President Duterte to fulfill his promise of change and spare our PUV’s from being extinct. Any forms of modernization that will not consider the best interests of the poor will never be justifiable and will only cause hardships to the people.”
“The Duterte administration further unfolds itself as an administration that will never stand with the masses. As long as these programs and policies continue, so does our struggle for genuine change. As long as this regime continues to attack and exploit the masses it should serve, it should expect to bear the brunt of the reckoning of the masses advancing the national democratic revolution,” Advincula ended.
According to the No To Phase-Out Coalition Metro Manila, the nationwide transport strike and people’s protest today is a strong manifestation of unity among commuters and the transport sector against PUV phase-out scheme.
Aside from the protest in España Boulevard, the No To Jeepney Phase-Out Coalition also hold people’s protests today in various areas in Metro Manila including in Alabang Terminal and Sucat in Muntinlupa City; Anda Circle and Pedro Gil in Manila; FTI Tenement in Taguig City; Philcoa, La Loma, Muñoz, Mabuhay Rotonda, Novaliches Bayan and Litex in Quezon City; Clocktower in Markina City; and Monumento Circle in Caloocan City.
