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Transport group holds strike to oppose jeepney phaseout


Members of the transport group Stop and Go Coalition on Monday pushed through with their plan to hold a strike to protest the government's plan to phase out old jeepneys, according to a report on Unang Balita by Victoria Tulad.

The group said the jeepney phaseout plan, referred to by the government as a modernization plan, will deprive them of their livelihood.

The protesters started their strike at 6 a.m. and said they will hold a program in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Monday morning, according to a report on Unang Balita by Bernadette Reyes.

They also said the strike will go on for two days, from September 25 to 26 (Tuesday).

"Eh 'yun po ang kahilingan ng ating mga miyembro [na dalawang araw ang tigil-pasada]. At sabi nila, hindi nila kayang tanggapin na 'yung kanilang mga jeep ay kukunin at mawawala at sila ay magkakaroon ng P1.6 million na utang na babayaran daw ng P800 a day. Mabigat sa kanila ang P800 a day," said Jun Magno, president of Stop and Go Coalition.

The group said they are opposed to the jeepney phaseout plan since they cannot afford to acquire new jeepneys. They are also opposing the plan to have jeepney drivers receive only minimum wage salary.

Magno said the existing jeepneys are still good. What is probably needed is a stricter implementation of policy by the Land Transportation Office in assessing the road worthiness of a vehicle for registration, said Magno.

"So kung may nakikita nating may lumang jeep sa daan, 'yan ay failure of enforcement sa pananaw namin dahil dapat hinuhuli nila 'yan o binabakbakan ng plaka. Kung ito naman ay luma talaga o bulok na, dapat hindi narerehistro. So ang problema ngayon, bakit ito narerehistro?" Magno said.

However, not all drivers said they will join the strike since some are concerned that the LTFRB may summon them and cancel their franchises.

 

 

Others still did a few trips before joining the strike. A few jeepneys were seen at Monumento before dawn on Monday waiting for passengers. They said they want to earn some money before joining the strike.

 

 

The Stop and Go Coalition said they have no plan to harass jeepney drivers not joining the protest action.

Some passengers said the jeepney strike will inconvenience them and make them have to spend more as they have to take alternative modes of transportation, such as tricycles.

Before 4 a.m., two buses were already waiting on EDSA southbound near the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital to offer rides to commuters affected by the strike. The fare will be P10 to P12, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. A policeman will also be on board to help ensure passengers' safety.

The MMDA said four buses will be offering rides from Monumento and Philcoa to service commuters.

 

 

Stop and Go Coalition however asked the public to understand their plight.

"Hindi namin intensyon na maapektuhan lahat. Maganda nga ang ginawa ng ating pamahalaan lalo na 'yung ating mga mayor, dahil naging alert sila. Kaya nga po nag-a-announce kami ng ahead para 'yung mga mayor natin nakakagawa ng ganyang paraan. Wala hong nahihirapan. Hindi po intensyon namin na mag stranded. Hindi po 'yon. Ang tinitingnan namin 'yung pagtutol na mararamdaman natin na 'pag itong mga jeep nawala, ito 'yung mangyayari. Hindi po intensyon namin na mamerwisyo, Magno said.

"Humihingi kami ng another dispensa sa ating mga mananakay dahil sa nangyayaring ito. Hindi po namin kagustuhan ito. Ang gusto lang namin, marinig ng ating pamahalaan na kami naman ay pakinggan," he added. —KG/KVD, GMA News

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