Due to continuous flooding in major roads in Dagupan City, many jeepney drivers have decided to stop plying the streets so their vehicles would not be damaged.

Among them is Elvis Seno who plied the Mapandan-Dagupan route.

“Talagang mahirap, masisira lang ang jeep kung ipipilit ko,” he said.

The One Pangasinan Transport Federation reported that over 300 jeepneys bound for Dagupan City halted operations because of high floodwaters.

Drivers and operators say repairs would be more expensive if they force their vehicles through flooded areas.

“Kahit kaming mga operator, hindi namin ipapabiyahe ang mga jeepneys natin kasi ‘yun nga tatamaan ‘yan, masisira. Pero may mga pumapasada rin, kasi kung walang pumapasada, hirap ang ekonomiya natin,” Bernard Tuliao, president of the federation, said.

The suspension of trips has affected many commuters like Jaypee Servito.

“Mahirap ngayon, sobrang hirap sumakay ng jeep kasi walang masyadong jeep,” he said.

Dagupan City, Calasiao, and parts of Sta. Barbara have experienced severe flooding in recent days. While water levels have slowly started to recede, normal operations will only resume once roads are safe.

The federation said there are over 2,000 active jeepneys in Pangasinan.