BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation and at least 16 jeepney trunk lines assured they will not join the ‘tigil-pasada,’ a weeklong nationwide transport strike which begins Monday, March 6, to convince the government to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong lauded the federation and the associations for choosing public service over their personal interests.
Magalong nonetheless ordered the implementation of contingency measures to ensure availability of transportation for commuters in case the reported week-long transport strike affects the city.
Wilson Bumay-et Jr, president of the Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation, said in a statement that they ‘strongly go against the call of other transport groups nationwide to resort to a strike.’
Bulwayan said: “The plan to do so (transport strike) demeans the principle of public service which does not only mean providing public transportation on our part but also providing health to those in need.”
“As providers of essential services at a rate where the public can afford, the continuity of our service is much more important than the recognition or compensation we may receive,” the statement added.
“Thugh the modernization program of the government is a challenge to every member in the transport group, it is not a reason to go beyond the true meaning of serving the riding public especially when our children, the economy and the good of everybody is at stake,” the statement added.
“Again, the Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation will not support any actions that may put the livelihood and safety not only of our operators and drivers but also of the riding public at risk.”
The federation is said to represent almost 95 percent of jeepney associations within Baguio City and Benguet.
The week-long transport strike, set from March 6 to March 12, is the first major coordinated strike since full passenger capacity resumed in March 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed the economy since it was declared early in 2020.
The transport group, led by Manibela, is opposing the government’s modernization program which seeks a phaseout of traditional jeeps and UV express.