Fears of falling income, vehicle ownership mount amid phase-out of jeepneys in Philippines

Summary

In the Philippines, transport groups are protesting the government's plan to phase out traditional jeepneys, which are a key part of the country’s public transport. The phase-out targets jeepneys 15 years or older, replacing them with more expensive, imported mini buses known as modern jeepneys. The government’s plan requires jeepney operators to form cooperatives to manage these modern vehicles, but many fear the new costs and the potential for mismanagement within cooperatives. Drivers and operators, including those with decades of experience, worry about their livelihoods, higher fares, and the loss of income, especially given limited government support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jeepney drivers in the Philippines are protesting against the government's plan to phase out traditional jeepneys by December 31st.
• 😀 The phase-out policy targets jeepneys that are 15 years old or older, to be replaced by modern mini buses.
• 😀 Activists have petitioned the Supreme Court to halt the December 31st deadline for traditional jeepney operators to join cooperatives.
• 😀 Modern jeepneys are more costly, priced at over $43,000 each, but offer air conditioning, spacious seating, and better security features like CCTV.
• 😀 Despite the benefits of modern jeepneys, the fare is only 2 Philippine pesos higher than traditional jeepneys, leading to concerns over affordability.
• 😀 A cooperative model has been proposed, where jeepney operators join cooperatives to run fleets of modern jeepneys, but it requires them to pay daily fees for older vehicles turned in for scrapping.
• 😀 The government provides a 10% subsidy to help purchase modern jeepneys, but many operators fear corruption and mismanagement within cooperatives.
• 😀 Many small-time jeepney operators feel they are being left without enough support or information from the government to start cooperatives.
• 😀 Longtime drivers, such as 70-year-old Elmer Cordo, fear they will be excluded from the new cooperative model due to their age.
• 😀 The change threatens the livelihoods of many people in the informal economy, including those who rely on jeepneys for jobs beyond driving, such as calling passengers or parking assistance.

Q & A

What is the main concern of jeepney drivers like Elmer Cordo regarding the Philippine government's jeepney modernization plan?

Elmer Cordo, a jeepney driver, is concerned that the government's plan to phase out older jeepneys could leave him without a daily source of income.

What is the government's proposed plan for modernizing the jeepney system in the Philippines?

The government plans to phase out traditional jeepneys that are 15 years old or older and replace them with imported mini-buses called 'modern jeepneys' which are part of a cooperative-based system.

Why are activists protesting the jeepney modernization plan?

Activists are protesting the plan because they believe it could harm traditional jeepney operators by forcing them to join cooperatives and bear the high cost of new modern jeepneys, potentially causing financial instability.

How much does a modern jeepney cost, and what are the benefits of using them?

A modern jeepney costs around $43,000 each. Benefits include air conditioning, more spacious seating, and additional security features like CCTV cameras.

How will the transition to modern jeepneys affect fares for passengers?

The fare for modern jeepneys is only slightly higher than traditional jeepneys by about two Philippine pesos. However, there are concerns that the fare might increase in the future.

What incentives does the government offer to jeepney operators for switching to modern jeepneys?

The government offers a subsidy of about 10% of the cost of modern jeepneys and grants cooperatives the opportunity to operate fleets of these modern vehicles.

What are the concerns of small jeepney operators about joining cooperatives?

Small jeepney operators fear a lack of support and information from the government and are concerned about the possibility of corruption or mismanagement within the cooperatives.

How are modern jeepneys being financed by cooperatives?

Cooperatives finance modern jeepneys by taking out bank loans and, in exchange, paying jeepney owners a daily fee of nearly $6 for each traditional jeepney they turn over to be scrapped.

How does the modernization plan affect elderly drivers like Elmer Cordo?

Elderly drivers, like Elmer Cordo, are unlikely to be hired by cooperatives due to their age, which creates additional challenges for their livelihood under the new system.

What are the financial concerns of traditional jeepney operators regarding the government's plan?

Many traditional jeepney operators are worried they will lose money by joining cooperatives, especially given the higher costs of modern jeepneys and the risk of mismanagement within the cooperatives.