On behalf of commuters, FEJODAP refuses to join nationwide transport strike

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) announced Sunday that it will not join the three-day nationwide transport strike set that will begin tomorrow, November 20. 

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, FEJODAP national president Jephraim Gochangco explained that their group decided not to participate in the planned transport strike from Nov. 20 to 22 out of concern for commuters who will be mostly affected by 3-day protest action. 

“Hindi kami sasama sa darating na pagaaklas. Paumanhin na po sa aming mga kasama sa hanapbuhay. Nakikisimpatya rin naman kami sa kanilang mga hinaing, subalit nakapagpasya ang kabuuan namin na hindi kami sasabay sa pag-aklas dahil na rin sa pagpapasya namin at pag-aaral sa isyu na ‘to,” he said. 

(We will not join the upcoming strike. We apologize to our colleagues. We sympathize with their grievances, but we have decided as a whole that we will not join the strike after studying the issue.) 

“Ang una unang naming tinignan o pinahalagahan ay ang mga kababayang mananakay,” he added. 

(The first thing we considered or give priority to are the commuters.) 

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) earlier announced the nationwide transport strike in protest of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

Began in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. Drivers and operators complained about the costs which can hit over P2 million for each vehicle.

Gochangco stressed they are still against the PUVMP but said that they will continue having proper dialogues with concerned government agencies. 

“Sinabi namin sa aming posisyon na daanin pa rin sa mahinahong pakikipag-usap sa ating pamahalaan. Sa tingin nila, ay napapakinggan naman dahil hindi naman kasi kami tumitigil sa pakikipag-usap sa ating Kagawaran ng Transportasyon,” he said. 

(Our position is that we will proceed with a reasonable dialogue with our government. Our members think that we are being heard because we have continued talking with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).)

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., earlier made the assurance that no drivers will lose their job because of the PUVMP.

"Ang problema na kanilang sinasabi ay baka hindi sila mapautang para makapagbili ng bagong sasakyan kaya't yan ang tinitignan namin ngayon na tiyakin na walang mawawalan ng trabaho dahil hindi nakapagbili ng electric vehicle pagdating ng panahon," Marcos said back in March.

(The concern they share is they might not be able to secure a loan to buy a new vehicle so we are looking at ensuring that no one will lose their job if ever they fail to buy an electric vehicle when the time comes.)

The DOTr previously said the government will review the 2017 Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which serves as the framework for the PUVMP.—RF, GMA Integrated News