Marking the first day of the weeklong “Tigil Pasada,” women leaders clarified that they are “not against modernization,” but they also stressed that the national government’s plan should alleviate the burden of Filipinos and not bury them in debt.  

Along with various transport groups and other progressive organizations, Gabriela on Monday, March 6, conducted a protest of action to decry the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program and impending jeepney phaseout. 

“Ang mga tsuper ay hindi nag iisa sa laban na ito. Ang mga tsuper at operator ay nakikipag-kapit bisig at nakikipag kaisa sa mga kababaihan at mamamayan para ipagtanggol ang kanilang kabuhayan at karapatan (Filipino drivers are not alone in this fight. Drivers along with operators are working in unison with women and the rest of the community to defend their livelihood and rights),” said Gabriela Secretary-General Clarice Palce during the protest held Monday morning.

The government’s PUV Modernization Program seeks to address “transport-related problems in the country” and find a solution to “future transportation demand” by implementing a transition from traditional to high capacity and low emission vehicles. 

Gabriela, however, reiterated that more than 300,000 drivers will lose their jobs while at least 20,000 small-scale operators will be affected if the program is implemented. 

“Hindi natin tinututulan ang modernisasyon, pero dapat naka-angkla ito sa pagpapaunlad ng kabuhayan ng mga jeepney drivers at hindi sa pagbibigay ng prangkisa sa mga malalaking negosyante (We are not against modernization, but it should be anchored in the development of the livelihood of jeepney drivers and not giving franchises to big businessmen),” said Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas.