TOWARD EXTINCTION: HOW CORPORATIZATION OF JEEPNEYS IS DRIVING THE SOUL OUT OF PHILIPPINE TRANSPORTATION

BY DANICA JANE GUIEB

It's a blame game

The iconic jeepney, once a symbol of Philippine culture and ingenuity, is now facing an uncertain future as the push to phase them out gains momentum for several reasons, were some: they are the beating heart of our traffic jams or sometimes, urban cancer that chokes our roads and arteries Some will say that jeepneys are the outdated embodiment of a bygone era's transport ideals.

Let's speed things up How are they implementing it?

In order to acquire new jeeps that cost millions per unit, drivers are compelled to join cooperatives Second, the Fleet Management Program, where the jeepneys will be subject to corporate ownership and a strategy to ensure the coordination of all aspects involved in the operation and maintenance of a group of jeepneys And lastly, Route Rationalization, aimed at optimizing the routes of jeepneys to provide more efficient and effective transportation services

It pulls the wool over our eyes The grand plan to phase out jeepneys is nothing but a thinlyveiled attempt by corporations to swipe everything under their greedy noses

The stringent criteria set for drivers coupled with the exploitative contractual agreements that offer minimal compensation and no benefits would push those who fail to meet these standards toward impoverishment Monopolizing jeepneys and the requirement for drivers to join cooperatives create an environment where financial institutions have more power to set high-interest rates, leaving jeepney drivers with limited options and potential financial burdens It will also drive up the cost of public transportation, as these corporations will be free to set their own fares without any competition This, in turn, will make commuting an even bigger burden for the already struggling masses.

The monopolization and corporatization of jeepneys can engender consequences for the wider transportation ecosystem It has the potential to displace small-scale operators who depend on jeepneys as a source of livelihood, and this displacement could have severe socio-economic ramifications for the local community Given the significant role jeepneys play in the daily commute of many individuals, their forced removal or transition to corporate entities should be approached with great care and caution, in order to prevent a more disastrous situation that we have to deal with again

In the pursuit of progress, we must not sacrifice the livelihoods of the people Strive to strike a harmonious balance between innovation and preserving the socioeconomic foundations of our communities