Church People-Workers Solidarity supports calls for resumption of jeepney operation and immediate release of cash aid to jeepney drivers
We from the Church People-Workers Solidarity join in solidarity with thousands of jeepney drivers who are still left with no sources of livelihood since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.
We air the concerns of our jeepney drivers regarding memorandum circular 2020-017 of LTFRB on the operation of PUB’s and PUJ’s during the General Community Quarantine. In the said memorandum, public utility buses is the preferred means of transportation and in areas where PUB’s could not operate, the following hierarchy of transport service shall be observed; tourist bus, OFG compliant PUJ (modernized jeepney), UV Express Service and traditional PUJ which have already consolidated as cooperative or are fleet managed and tourist vans. According to PISTON, the abovementioned memorandum will not allow many jeepneys to operate and for those which can operate many restrictions and limitations are being set by the LTFRB. It also increases the fear of jeepney drivers and small operators on the phase out of traditional jeepneys.
We are saddened that for more than two months, many of them are still waiting for the cash aid particularly the Social Amelioration Program from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Even before the pandemic, jeepney drivers and their families are already in difficult economic situation. And now, the situation even worsens.
In this light, we urge the government to take heed to the call of our jeepney drivers and small operators:
1. Allow the resumption of Public Utility Jeepneys as it will revive the livelihood of thousands of jeepney drivers and small operators and will provide transport service to frontliners, workers among others.
2. Cash assistance that will fill in the shortage of income due to only 50% passenger capacity for PUV’s. This will also help the drivers to pay for gasoline, maintenance of their vehicles and most importantly basic needs for their families.
3. Conduct mass testing to jeepney drivers and other public transport workers to ensure their safety and the commuting public.
4. Immediately release the long over due Social Amelioration Program for all jeepney drivers who were not able to receive the cash assistance covering the time of Enhanced Community Quarantine.
5. Release of the six jeepney drivers who were arrested during a peaceful protest calling for the release of cash assistance on June 2, 2020.
6. Stop the phase out of jeepney as it will result to massive loss of livelihoods.
On a structural level, the government should stop privatizing public transport and must work towards nationalizing the public transport system which is people oriented and not for profit for few corporations.
Finally, we appeal to our brothers and sisters in the community to give cash or in kind support to our drivers and their families. ###
Signed:
CWS Co-Chairperson
