Jeepney drivers urge inclusion in resumption of public transport

Jeepney drivers on Tuesday staged a protest along EDSA-Monumento to urge the government to include jeepneys in the resumption of mass public transportation under the general community quarantine.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) led the protest.

“Sabi natin, ‘Patakbuhin natin ang ekonomiya.’ Ang panawagan namin sa gobyerno, bakit hindi isinasama ‘yung mga maliliit na driver at operator sa pagpapatakbo ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa?” Piston officer Ruben Baylon said.

Some commuters also complained about the absence of jeeps at their usual routes.

“‘Yung tricycle, singilin kami ng P120. Hindi kami pumayag kasi wala kaming pera,” medical worker Tracy Sarmiento said.

“Dati bente lang po. Minsan po, inaano na lang namin para makarating lang po kami papasukan namin. Minsan uma-absent na lang kami,” frontliner Benita Villar added.

Piston said some 2,000 jeepneys in the Camanava area are currently sitting at garages.

The Department of Transportation earlier explained that the resumption of public transportation will be done in two phases.

Modern PUVs or jeepneys will be allowed to operate on a limited capacity from June 22 to 30.

“Kung makakamtan ‘yung mga implementable health protocols at magiging road-worthy ‘yan at kakapusin ‘yung tinatawag natin na hierarchy of public transportation, then papasok po at gagamitin ‘yung traditional jeepneys,” Transport chief Arthur Tugade explained.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) added that it is in talks with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regarding aid for drivers who lost their sources of income amid the quarantine.

“Pagdating naman din po sa assistance na sinasabing matagal na ring walang trabaho, tuloy tuloy po ‘yung ugnayan natin sa DSWD kasi alam po natin may issues do’n sa pagbibigay ayuda lalong lalo na sa mga drayber ng ating mga pampublikong sasakyan,” LTFRB chief Martin Delgra III said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News