We need to feed our families, say drivers of unconsolidated jeeps

The threat of being fined and impounded notwithstanding, some drivers of unconsolidated jeepneys continued to ply their routes despite the ban starting May 1, according to a "24 Oras" report by Oscar Oida.

They said they are aware of the dangers of defying the government order on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, but would still take the risk because they have mouths to feed and bills to pay.

“Parang di na namin alam kung ano gagawin. Pwede nila kami parahin, hahanapin yung sinasabi nilang papel, yung sticker na consolidated unit… e kami wala. Kabado talaga,” said jeepney driver Jun.

(We don’t know what to do anymore. They can apprehend us, look for the papers, sticker for consolidated units… which we do not have. We’re really nervous)

“Pag di kami bumyahe, paano ang pamilya ko? May estudyante akong dalawa. Paano yung mga baon, expenses, bayarin ng bahay, kuryente, tubig pag di kami bumiyahe?“ he added.

(If I don’t work, what about my family? I have two students. What about their allowance, expenses, bills for the house, electricity, water if we don’t work?)

Up to 20 units of the “Atin To Transport Cooperative” were also disapproved for consolidation and plan to sell their units.

“Ang sabi po nila is puno yung aming ruta, samantalang sa ibang ruta kahit tatlong kooperatiba ay matatanggap… Malaking lugi. Baka mabebenta nalang P150,000 isa, samanatalng bili namin diyan kalahating milyong piso isa,” said Atin To Transport Cooperative Operator Freddie Cariño.

(They said the route was full, yet other routes even had three cooperatives approved… It’s a big loss. We can sell the units for only P150,000 each, yet we bought them for half a million per unit)

 According to the Department of Transportation Executive Assistant to the Secretary Jonathan Gesmundo, approvals of consolidaton are subject to the local government of an area.

“Yung sinasabi naming route rationalization, yung LGU ay bibigyan sila ng ruta. Ia-assign ang isang kooperatiba doon sa ruta. So depende nga kasi yan kasi hindi DOTR, hindi LTFRB ang magsasabing dito ka sa ruta na to. It’s the LGU. Sila ang makaalam dito sa ruta na ito sobra sobra na kayong dami kaya bawasan na,” he said in a public briefing.

(When they say route rationalization, the LGU will give them routes. They will assign a route to a cooperative. So it really depends because neither DOTR nor LTFRB can designate a route. It’s the LGU. They’re the ones who know about the routes.)

While unconsolidated jeeps are now considered "colorum," no arrests will be made for now and operators will only receive issued notices to explain. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News