Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 28) — The Senate public services committee will probe on Thursday the impending phaseout of traditional jeepneys, a move senators hope can avert the planned seven-day transport strike next week.
The chamber also unanimously adopted the resolution filed by committee chairperson Sen. Grace Poe, urging the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to postpone the June 30 deadline for drivers and operators to join a cooperative or form a corporation as part of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.
During discussions in plenary, Sen. Francis Escudero suggested that aside from approval, the resolution should also be referred to Poe’s committee for an in-depth hearing.So that all sides can be heard and so that the striking jeepney drivers or those who are planning to strike next week, perhaps if given a forum, might hold it off as well,” Escudero said.Because in a strike, nobody really benefits from it – both the riding public and the drivers themselves,” he added.Escudero also said the phase-out policy was “hastily planned, haphazardly implemented, and offered no safety nets” for drivers and operators.The government should review the phase-out policy, time table, financial package and subsidy and assistance to affected drivers and operators,” he noted.Poe then sought her colleagues’ permission to hold the hearing on Thursday – short of the three-day rule when hearings can begin from the time a measure is sponsored on the floor.The senator said she expects Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to “participate and personally meet various transport groups ASAP and hear their concerns.The DOTr must find a realistic and viable solution to the concerns raised by operators and drivers on the modernization program,” Poe stressed.The government should not take for granted the complaints of our drivers and should keep the line of communications open,” she added.Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri agreed, saying “it’s a national concern because we would like to avert a nationwide strike.There were no objections both from the majority and the minority, according to Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.The body is agreeing to the suggestion and we are all one in ensuring that we’ll be able to help out in any way we can,” Villanueva said.Poe earlier noted that each modern jeepney costs around ₱2.8 million, which drivers have to loan and pay out-of-pocket.The LTFRB should be reminded that jeepney drivers do not have deep pockets. The most recent study estimates that their average daily take home pay is a meager ₱755,” Poe said.Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimintel III proposed the scrapping of the jeepney modernization program if drivers and operators cannot afford the modern jeepney units through their current earnings.Poe also noted that the phaseout has been postponed four times, but the government has not addressed the problems, and does not even have the required route rationalization plan to date.
“If the LTFRB proceeds with the phaseout, it might result in 50,000 jeeps being taken off the road. If transport groups proceed with their strike, that’s at least 40,000 jeepneys off the street starting March 6,” Poe said.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said while he previously supported the modernization program launched by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, there’s no way drivers can afford it now following the hike in fuel prices.
“Yes, we need to modernize, but there should be comprehensive and concrete programs based on a just transition principally because transport is an essential sector,” Sen. Nancy Binay also said.
