By Hanah Tabios Several jeepney drivers and transport operators have joined Monday’s nationwide transport strike to protest against the impending jeepney phaseout set on July 2020. (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “Ito ang nagtulak sa mga driver at operator na maglunsad ng tigil-pasada. Dahil sa aktwal, ipinatutupad na ng bogus at negosyong modernisasyon na magdudulot sa phaseout ng mga jeepney, ruta, prangkisa, kasama na ang mga indibidwal na operator ng jeepney at UV Express,” Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) said in a statement. They were joined by members of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) and Stop&Go Coalition, who also held protest actions in various parts of the country including Quezon City, Pasig, Cavite province, and even in some regional areas. The event prompted the local government units to suspend classes and offices. But at the same time, contingency measures were also imposed such as the suspension of the number coding scheme for public utility vehicles and the deployment of free point-to-point rides to aid affected commuters. “170,000 ang kabuuang bilang ng pampasaherong jeep sa buong bansa. 70,000 sa NCR habang papalo sa humigit kumulang 60,000 ang bilang ng mga operator. Ang bogus na programang modernisasyon ay nangangahulugan ng matinding gutom at ibayong pagkalunod sa kahirapan ng daanlibong mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino,” the groups said. But they clarified that they were in favor of the modernization project in such a way that it will only cover the repair, rehabilitation, and upgrade of their old units but not its total phaseout. “Ang class 1 vehicle na ipapalit sa mga lumang pampasaherong jeepney ay nagkakahalaga ng 1.6 to 1.9 million kada isa. Ang class 2 ay mula 1.8 to 2 million, habang ang class 3 vehicles na ipapalit sa mga UV express ay nagkakahalaga naman ng 2.9 to 3.3 million kada isa,” they stressed while pointing out that the new vehicle can be paid only within 7 years with six percent interest. A 5% subsidy will also be provided by the government. “Tiyak na wala ni isang maliit na drayber at operator ang kayang makabili ng ganito kamahal na sasakyan. Ang natural na layunin at tunguhin ng programang ito ay konsentrasyon ng sektor ng transportasyon sa kamay ng malalaking kumpanya,” they added.