The government is now taking a tough stance against striking jeepney drivers, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes said during the second day of the 12-day transport strike on Tuesday.
The government, he added, would no longer consider the demands of the drivers and operators who are protesting the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“We have come to a point where the government can no longer be held hostage by any group that threatens a stoppage. They are taking advantage of our passengers just to get what they want,” he said.
Artes added that even if the drivers and operators go on strike for a year, the government is ready.
The strike, he said, failed to paralyze the transport system in the National Capital Region, since not all transport groups joined it.
Meanwhile, the government is preparing to issue special permits and deploy free rides next year to address a possible shortage of public utility vehicles as the Dec. 31 deadline for jeepney drivers and operators to consolidate under a cooperative or corporation draws near.
The consolidation is a requirement of the PUVMP, which seeks to gradually phase out old jeepneys in favor of cleaner modern units.
But transport groups oppose the policy due to the high cost of upgrading.
Transportation Undersecretary TJ Batan said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) could issue special permits on Jan. 1 to consolidate operators to supplement routes that have fewer PUVs.
Batan also worked with local government units for the deployment of free rides to help passengers affected by the possible reduction in the number of PUVs.
Several transport groups have warned of a transport crisis next year when unconsolidated jeepney drivers would no longer be allowed to service their routes.
Responding to an IBON Foundation statement that the administration is indifferent to the plight of jeepney drivers, Batan said the DOTr will provide assistance to operators to address the possibility of jeepney fares going up 400 percent due to the PUV modernization program.
“First, we have increased the subsidy. At the start we were only giving P80,000 per unit, that was increased to P160,000 per unit. Now, it is between P200,000 and P300,000 depending on the type of jeepney that you are modernizing into,” Batan said in an ANC interview.
The cost of a modernized jeepney is about P2.3 million to P2.8 million per unit.
“Number 2, we’ve continued working with our government banks, Landbank, [Development Bank of the Philippines], to simplify the procedures for availing of cheap financing,” Batan added.
