Anamarie Antolin
December 22, 2023
Unequal. Unprogressive. Unjust.
While development is supposed to bring ease and comfort, it’s a different story for thousands of drivers, operators, and commuters who are said to be affected by the phaseout this year. Of the transportation sector, who have made visible protests recently to call for the government's actions.
In a circus-like country like the Philippines, how has the government played irony against the Filipinos?
On Monday, December 18, PISTON and MANIBELA continued their transport strike and protest actions, reaffirming their call to condemn the looming threat of the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP). Voices revealed that these efforts are set to be done until they receive a clear response from the administration regarding their calls.
Even so, it isn't the first time in 2023. For a while, unending calls from transportation groups have been visible nationwide since March, including a series of strikes, and as the franchise consolidation deadline approaches, a series of efforts to make the government scrap the program entirely is expanding.
Irony in a nutshell
PUVMP made headlines in 2017 under former President Rodrigo Duterte's watch when the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched the program under Department Order (D.O.) No. 2017-011 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance, commonly known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG).
The government saw this as a way to align the country's public transportation system with global standards and address transportation-related issues by making it safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable, among others.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista even stated in March that this would help create more jobs, such as mechanics and dispatchers.
Nonetheless, expanding the sector will come at the expense of thousands of existing transportation workers, as over 60,000 PUVs are expected to be phased out by 2024.
This is particularly relevant given that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued Memorandum Circular 2023-051, which states that all PUV franchises that would not be able to undergo consolidation will be revoked by January 1, 2024, which then extended until the end of April 2024.
WATCH:
First irony: Development in death
Reggie Manalapig of Calumpit, Bulacan, is one of those affected, as his livelihood has been dependent on transportation since then. For the past two decades, jeepney has been his life and a means of sustaining the lives of others—his family.
When asked about his first thoughts on the program, he said he agreed with it until he further learned about its implementation.
"'yong pinipilit nilang consolidation kapag pinasa po namin 'yong aming franchise o prangkisa, hindi na po kami single operator, ito po eh mamanipulahin na po ng anumang sinasabi nilang kooperatiba. Mawawalan na po kami ng karapatan," he voiced fear thinking they might lose control of their own property and be taken over by a private company instead.
During the interview, he went on to elaborate on their understanding of the concept of consolidation. According to him, the consolidation may result in the loss of the single operator's right as they will have to form a cooperative to manage their franchise rather than having complete control over it–- far from the freedom they initially had.
Worse, if the cooperative goes bankrupt, they will be unable to reclaim their franchise. "Wala naman pong refundable 'yan. 'Pag nalugi, wala na kaming hanapbuhay, sorry ka na lang."
He also stated that they are willing to compromise with the government's wants, but not at the expense of losing their livelihood and ending one of our country’s cultures.
As sentimental as he can be, he even recalled that even if a child were asked, he would know the existence of a PUV. More so, when he worked in Japan, many people also expressed the intent to ride this traditional vehicle. Who would not be?
Certainly, traditional jeepneys have evolved into more than just a mode of transportation—they have become an integral part of the nation's history and identity, symbolizing every Filipino's vibrant culture and creativity.
And it continues to remain a part of history, albeit an apparently tragic one.
Second irony: Development in debt
The irony even continues to challenge one’s capability to make ends meet.
Under the modernization program, all jeepneys must comply with the Euro-4 standard to avoid being phased out. A modern jeepney even costs up to P2.8 million, a far cry from the P150,000 to P250,000 price range of traditional jeepneys.
With these gaps, the LTFRB offers a P160,000 subsidy to affected transportation workers, seemingly substantial enough to blind someone, but only accounts for 5.7% of the total cost of a traditional jeepney.
Additionally, part of the program's goal is to improve the safety of the Philippine transportation system. However, e-jeepneys, according to Manlapig, are more prone to fixing, and drivers like them are more likely unable to repair them, unlike traditional PUVs.
"Kapag nasiraan kami kaya naming gawin 'yan? Hindi namin kayang gawin 'yan...kapag nasiraan kami, wala na, [ma]tetengga na kami...Hindi po kami pwedeng matengga ng ilang araw, marami pong magugutom," he said.
Fear is that their earnings will only be used to pay for the unit rather than to meet their daily needs after deducting fuel, operator boundary, and maintenance fees.
"'yon ang pangunahin naming tinututulan, 'yong mabaon kami sa utang...Hanapbuhay, hindi hanap utang," he firmly called like any others.
A domino effect goes further; as this modernization campaign will undoubtedly impact transportation costs, the effects on commuters would not differ much.
Third irony: Development in threat
The smoke produced by traditional jeepneys even adds to the reasons for change as fossil-fueled vehicles, such as this one, are said to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution; thus, the attempt to make the PUV "greener." Moreover, citing the Blacksmith Institute and Clean Air Asia, diesel-powered jeepneys generate 15% of Metro Manila's total particulate matter emissions.
Simply put, the program focuses on improving air quality and energy efficiency and providing a safe and efficient public transportation system.
However, it has been argued that this attempt is futile if only public vehicles are targeted rather than private vehicles, especially as less than 5% of PUVs make up the total number of vehicles in the country. Sentiments were then expressed, questioning the purpose of its measures: was it truly for the people, or was it partly for business opening up more space for privatization?
While environmental sustainability is considered, humanity and its social consequences are frequently overlooked. This is not new, as development frequently comes at the expense of marginalized sectors’ welfare, regardless of whose hands are in control.
Third irony: Development in threat
Modernization is supposed to be beneficial, as these affected sectors initially perceived, but gaps reveal the harsh reality; it seems to be being used to exploit the voices and rights of what they call a minority.
A series of interviews reiterated the true reason for the protests, which is not simply to oppose the government and its plans but to protest its unjust and inhumane implementation; they even suggested the rehabilitation of their jeepneys instead rather than forcing them to consolidate.
They have reasons for doing so, one is that they do not want their lives to resemble those of already indebted workers who consolidated and joined cooperatives.
That they would comply if they saw good intentions, and as Manlapig stated, they would follow if they saw it benefiting them, but as far as he is concerned, that is not what is currently visible today.
That they speak up not against the country's progress and development but after recognizing lapses.
Indeed, change is constant, and it is neither good nor bad. And as the world alters, so do the lives and stories of each Filipino.
In this played irony, it is a different story for 140,000 drivers, 600,000 operators, and 28.5 million commuters who are said to be affected by the phaseout this year.
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