Jeepney drivers, operators may form own cooperatives
No apprehension of jeepneys will be done by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) following the 3-month extension given by the government for unconsolidated drivers and operators.
According to a "24 Oras" report by Joseph Morong on Thursday, unconsolidated drivers or operators will not be forced to join existing cooperatives and may form their own.
Some drivers welcomed the option and said that they would explore purchasing the locally manufactured modern jeepneys worth up to P750,000, which is far cheaper than the P2 million imported units.
However, they are still worried that the 3-month extension may not be enough to secure a replacement unit despite the P200,000 subsidy provided by the government. The DOTr said that consolidated drivers would be given two years to replace their units.
“Kami na rin, hindi na namin ibibigay itong aming ruta. Kami-kami na lang ang bubuo [ng kooperatiba] kung kinakailangan,” said driver Ronald Tugade.
(We’ll do it, we won’t give our route anymore. We’ll be the ones to create [a cooperative] if needed)
“[Mas] kaya naming hulugan yun kesa dun sa P2.8 [million] na masyadong rich [dahil] pang mayaman po yun. ‘Yun [isang unit], pang-masa po yun,” he added.
(The locally manufactured unit is more affordable than the P2.8 [million] that’s too expensive [because] that’s for the rich. The other [unit], it’s for the masses)
Meanwhile, transport group PISTON welcomed the extension but said that it would be better to effectively suspend the program for further study.
They also requested the agency to allow single operators and to not confiscate existing franchises.
“Hindi katulad nang sa ngayon, 'yung pong inilalako na kooperatiba ng DOTr at ng LTFRB, ito 'yung sinasabi natin pagmomonopolyo sa usapin ng serbisyo sa ating mga mamamayan,” said PISTON president Mody Floranda.
(The cooperatives that the DOTr and the LTFRB are peddling are what we call monopolizing the service to our citizens.)
The DOTR reiterated that the PUV modernization will push through and that the current 3-month extension would be the last deadline by the government. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News
Need a wellness break? Sign up for The Boost!
Stay up-to-date with the latest health and wellness reads.
Please enter a valid email address
Your email is safe with us