Starting May 16, unconsolidated jeepneys will be classified as “colorum” which may face penalties like 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 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 a directive. They argued that the PTMP and its implementing guidelines under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order 2023-022 would only jeopardize small operators and jeepney drivers who remain unconsolidated beyond the April 30 deadline.
“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,” PISTON said 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—amid the country’s crisis is only worsened due to the increasing unemployment.]
PISTON and MANIBELA slammed the PTMP/PUVMP which compelled small operators and drivers to surrender their individual franchises in cooperatives or corporations.
Double whammy
Jeepney driver Americo Menil, 44, 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 dahilan kung ba’t ang tao, ang bayan ngayon ay lumalaban.”
Menil said he wrote the adapted lyrics during their protest rally in front of the House of Representatives 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 evening, coming straight from my trip. I rewrote the song lyrics to convey to my fellow jeepney drivers and the leaders of the transportation sector that the fight is not yet over.]
Menil has been a jeepney driver for fifteen (15) years, plying the Dasmariñas to Baclaran route. But before this, he worked for media giant ABS-CBN for nine years and was forced to resign in the early 2000s.
“Dati po akong audio crew sa ABS-CBN. Iyon ‘yong nag-revamp sila na kung sino ang gustong mag-resign ay o-offeran ka ng 1:3,” Menil said.
[I used to work as an audio crew at ABS-CBN. That was during their revamp, where if you chose 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 laid 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 let them finish school through my work as a driver.]
He also lamented the situation of his children being forced to take part-time jobs to compensate for their schooling needs 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 focusing solely on their studies, they are now forced to work part-time jobs for four, or six hours. One works at Jollibee, while another works at a convenience store. I feel sorry for them.]
No government support for those who will lose their livelihood due to PTMP
Transport groups noted that many jeepney drivers and operators are only forced to undergo franchise consolidation amid fear of losing their livelihood, while some are also withdrawing from consolidation after facing difficulties within their cooperatives.
A case study by IBON Foundation showed that a jeepney cooperative needed each modern jeepney unit to raise P6,000 to 7,000 every day to keep up the payments for the loan for acquiring the modern jeepneys, doubled diesel costs, and salary for the drivers among others.
Upon consolidating, they are required to procure imported air-conditioned minibuses, equipped with Euro 4 or electrically-powered engines, amounting to PhP 1.4 million cash or about 2.8 million if bought on loan. The case study by IBON Foundation also showed that around P30,000 is needed for the monthly payments for each jeepney unit.
Meanwhile, transport groups have since argued that there are many local industries capable of meeting the modernization requirements that would only cost them less than a million pesos.
“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 2022, PISTON Panay underscored the LTPRP’s adverse effects, particularly on passengers, such as 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 said.
[Crucial public transportation services should not be sacrificed while the government remains delusional and pretends that our economy is supposedly progressing.]
