The Fall of The Philippines’ Kings of the Road

Jeepney drivers are expected to buy modernized jeepneys that cost 1,766.6%
more than the traditional jeepney. This is because PUV drivers and operators are being
forced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to use
electric vehicles or combustion engines that comply with Euro IV emission standards.
The jeepney phaseout will negatively impact jeepney drivers, commuters, and most
members of the community, despite the government’s best intentions to create a safer
and cleaner environment for Filipino citizens. This has caused the community to protest
against this program.

The government aims to make the Philippines transportation system safer and
more environmentally friendly through the modernization of jeepneys. According to a
study by the Blacksmith Institute and Clean Air Asia, jeepneys contribute 15% of the
total particulate matter emissions in Metro Manila. Most jeepneys are fitted with
second-hand engines that produce higher emissions as compared to the modern diesel
technologies that the modern PUVs will use.

Additionally, traditional jeepneys also have a history of poor maintenance and a

poor safety record. Drivers also offer little to no compensation to passengers affected
during accidents. To tackle these problems, the Department of Trade and Industry’s
Bureau of Philippine Standards has issued a Philippine National Standard (PNS) for
PUVs. This specifies that no part of the vehicle can be older than 15 years old. It also
includes dimension limits, as well as the width and height of the vehicle. The PNS also
mentions a PUV’s seating capacity and arrangement, along with the maximum mass.
Specific features like the wheelbase, rear and front overhangs, cabin, seats and seat
layouts, step board, service door, and emergency exits are also stated. Modern
jeepneys will also have equipment like dash cams, speed limiters, CCTV cameras, and
a fare collection system to further secure the safety of passengers and to help the
operator as well.

However, jeepney drivers and operators are still against the jeepney phaseout.
This caused the transport strike on March 6–7, 2023. The main reason is that
modernized jeepneys are too expensive for the average jeepney driver to afford, and
the support given by the government is barely enough. Purchasing a unit would cost
around P1.4–P1.6 million, and acquiring one through loans would bring the costs up to
P2.8 million. That price is hardly affordable for the average jeepney operator. To lessen
the financial burden, these drivers and operators may opt to get sponsored by brands
by putting advertisements on the vehicle. Additionally, the LTFRB also does not allow
single-unit operators, meaning jeepney drivers would now need to join cooperatives that
allow them to acquire loans. This only makes it harder for PUV workers to continue their
livelihoods.

While the government is offering help, only 5.7% of the total cost of a modern
jeepney will be covered by their proposed subsidy. Fortunately, a bill filed by Manuel
Luis Lopez helps PUV workers financially. The Just Transition bill includes benefits for
drivers to help them transition to modernized PUVs. The bill includes how the
Department of Transportation (DOTr) will give financial assistance to drivers, not less
than 50% of the cost of their purchased units. Additionally, the DOTr will pay for the
operator’s gas expenses on a biweekly basis, and the annual interest rate for loans
used in purchasing a unit will not exceed 1%. This bill will also aid those who cannot
purchase a modernized jeepney by giving them a minimum of P300,000 to transition
into another job. However, not only jeepney operators would be affected, but also
workers like auto mechanics. Jeepney drivers have also expressed their anger about
how they were not even able to be part of the conversation regarding this matter. This
just goes to show how the government really did not think about how this program
would affect the community.

The government will follow through with the project despite the rightful protests of
jeepney drivers and operators. While our environment and public transport system will
benefit from this change, jeepney drivers and operators are not ready for it. Even with
the support of the government and other departments, a big transition like this will not
flow as smoothly as planned. Teodoro R. Ballaran, a former jeepney driver who now
oversees four jeepneys, said, "You lose your control and rights over your own unit. It’s
like they want to cook you in your own fat." It is a harsh metaphor, but it is the truth. If
the livelihoods of jeepney drivers and operators are sacrificed during this program, are
we really working towards improvement?

763 words

RESOURCES:

Beltran, M. (2023, March 8). Philippines Jeepney strike drives home modernisation
concerns. Al Jazeera.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/8/jeepney-strike-drives-home-concerns-
about-modernisation-plan

Gutierrez, J. (2023, March 9). Colorful, Iconic Jeepneys May Soon Be Off the Road in
the Philippines. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/world/asia/philippines-jeepney.html

Kusuma, N. (2023, March 9). Is Jeepney Phase-Out a Just Transition to Sustainable

Transport System? Green Network Asia. Green Network Asia.
https://greennetwork.asia/news/is-jeepney-phase-out-a-just-transition-to-sustaina
ble-transport-system

Rivas, R. (2023, March 6). IN NUMBERS: Why jeepney phaseout is anti-poor, will do
little for environment. RAPPLER.
https://www.rappler.com/business/numbers-why-government-phaseout-jeepneys-
anti-poor-do-little-environment/
Roces, I. (2023, March 11). The Jeepney Phase-out Explained. Manila Bulletin.
https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/10/the-jeepney-phase-out-explained