Jeepney drivers want dignity back, ask they be allowed to work

Published June 08, 2020 09:58 PM

A transport group on Monday called on the government to allow jeepneys to resume operations and lamented the “loss of dignity” of some drivers who have had to resort to begging on the streets for food and money.

According to Mai Bermudez’ report on “24 Oras,” a group of jeepney drivers were preparing to use plastic barriers, foot baths, thermal scanners, face masks, and gloves inside their vehicles in preparation for their possible return to the roads.

“‘Yun nga po ang panawagan namin, na payagan po kaming makabiyahe. Sanay naman po ang ating mga jeepney driver na magbanat ng buto, maghanapbuhay,” Samahang Manibela president Mar Valbuena said.

“Ayaw na po naming umasa sa mga pangako po ng ating gobyerno na mabibigyan pa po sila ng ayuda. Payagan na lang po kami,” he added.

Malacañang earlier said it was preparing cash assistance for jeepney drivers

but later on said it had not yet been approved and would depend on any excess funds from the second tranche of the government’s amelioration program.

“‘Yun po ang masakit sa kalooban natin, na ‘yung mga jeepney driver na nagdala sa karamihan sa atin sa tagumpay, kung nasaan tayo ngayon sumasakay, pumapasok sa trabaho, pumapasok sa eskwela, makikita mo po namamalimos na sila ngayon. Halos walang dignidad ‘yung ating mga jeepney driver,” Valbuena said.

He added that they would write a letter to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding a fare increase since jeepneys will only be allowed to fill up 50 percent of the maximum capacity under quarantine restrictions.

“Aapela po kami na sana itaas man lang kahit kaunti o kahit kalahati ‘yung ating pamasahe nang sa gano’n, may maiuwi naman kahit papaano ‘yung mga driver natin at operator na ilang buwan po na hindi man lang kumita at hindi nakatanggap ng sapat na ayuda,” Valbuena said.

The Department of Transportation earlier said mass public transportation will resume operations in two phases.

“Kapag ang isang area ay kulang ang suplay o walang suplay ng bus o walang tren o wala rin suplay ng modern PUV units, then that’s the time na ico-consider ng LTFRB ‘yung pagpayag na mag-operate ‘yung mga traditional jeepneys natin,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said.

Once they are allowed to ply the roads, jeepney drivers must also obtain a special permit and pass the roadworthiness test of the LTFRB. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News

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