A three-day Jeepney strike by drivers in the Philippines commenced on Monday, highlighting concerns from transport groups about the potential displacement of thousands due to government plans for modernization.
Privately-owned buses resembling a blend of Jeeps and vans, often adorned in vibrant colors, characterize jeepneys, which are iconic to the Philippines’ transportation system. These vehicles serve routes in local neighborhoods and city centers, offering affordable rides as a cultural symbol ingrained in songs, films, and even used by Pope Francis during his visit to Manila.
Government initiatives have long aimed to modernize jeepneys and Jeepney strike , originally repurposed from US army Jeeps post-World War II, due to their pollution emissions. Operators and drivers face mandates to transition into corporations or cooperatives by Tuesday, gradually replacing traditional jeepneys with environmentally friendly vehicles featuring enhanced safety measures.
While the government pledges subsidies and access to bank loans for cooperatives, operators argue that the new vehicles are financially inaccessible, leaving them burdened with significant debts. The modernized models boast European emission-standard engines, electric motors, along with amenities like wifi, CCTV, and air conditioning, but come at a steep cost of up to 2.8 million pesos, contrasting sharply with the traditional jeepney’s price range of 150,000 to 250,000 pesos.
With approximately 179,000 aging jeepneys, primarily over 15 years old, transport groups like Piston warn of widespread livelihood losses for drivers and operators. Ed Sarao, of Sarao Motors, a prominent jeepney manufacturer, underscores the vehicle’s historical significance, crafted “from the ashes of World War II,” reflecting on its enduring cultural and economic importance.
