Vice President Leni Robredo said that a jeepney phaseout now should not be pushed as drivers are already struggling with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. | GabrielLaluINQ
The Vice President made her statements after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced that modern jeepneys would be allowed to operate again starting on Monday, June 22, within 15 initial routes, with the easing up of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila.
But for traditional jeepneys, their operation would have to wait for some time — although LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra assured commuters that these jeepneys, along with UV Express vehicles, would not be removed andModernized jeepneys are being prioritized because their older counterparts are on the lower end of the hierarchy of public transport modes, as they are believed to pose a great risk of coronavirus transmission with their passengers seated close to each other.
Robredo defended jeepney drivers, saying that most of them would no oppose modernization — only if they could have the means to buy modern jeepneys. “What about jeepney drivers who are struggling to pay for the installment of their jeepneys? Others have not even completed their payments, then you would do this… It’s like stepping on people who have already fallen down,” she said., which Robredo cited, jeepney drivers have already lost P78,000 of their income since the lockdown started in March, or around P26,000 per month.
In contrast, the government has given drivers monetary aid worth P8,000 under the Social Amelioration Program — not even half of their possible monthly earnings, Robredo stressed.The insistence of the government to restrict traditional jeepney operations has forced some drivers and operators to protest these policies. In one such protest in Caloocan City, six members of transport group Piston were arrested.
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