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The story must be heard: the power of every voices

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Citizen Journalism: Midterms Output | BA Journalism 2A (22-23)

Malolos jeepney barker, drivers detest PUV modernization program

#NoToJeepneyPhaseOut continues to be the unyielding stand of both jeepney barkers and drivers of Malolos Central Transport Terminal after the previous nationwide transport strikes caused by the contentious Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the administration.

Beside Xentro Mall Malolos sits the Malolos Central Transport Terminal that holds public utility vehicles (PUVs), particularly traditional jeepneys, with both roundtrip and one-way trips to neighboring and distant places alike, such as Plaridel, Guiguinto, Marilao, and Santa Maria, among others.

Mang Renato, a jeepney barker for 21 years and a father of six, said that he won’t necessarily be affected by the jeepney modernization. But he makes clear that he sympathizes with traditional jeepney drivers, who will not be able to afford the modernized ones.

"Sana hindi na matuloy yung mga phase out na yan, kawawa yung mga operator", he expressed. "Paano kung walang pera yung mga operator… paano yung mga drayber. Syempre kung walang pera, wala silang dyip na modern", he continued.

Although his livelihood will not be directly affected by the modernization, he stressed out: "Wala naman ding pinagkukunan ‘yan [mga drayber], syempre masakit din sa kanila yan." To add to his sentiment, he said that there were kind drivers who were willing to give him extra income whenever their jeepneys would be full of passengers, thereby adding to his disapproval of the government’s plan.

Mang JR, a traditional jeepney driver for two decades, also strongly expressed his disfavor for jeepney modernization: "Syempre nakasanayan na namin itong gamitin, tsaka dito ‘di masyadong ano… kapag binyahe na namin, sa amin na kita. Eh kapag sa modern babayaran mo sa gobyerno."

He further explained that the government is basically phasing out their jeepneys and leaving them in immeasurable debt, which they cannot afford to pay. "Pabigat talaga samin talaga", he said.

"Napag-aral ko yung mga anak ko… yung pang-araw-araw namin hanggang sa bahay, kuryente [at] tubig, dito kami kumukuha", he added, emphasizing the importance of his job for his family to stay afloat.

As for his opinion about why the government is pushing PUV modernization in the country, he thinks they are trying to raise the standard of the Philippines’ public transport on par with Hong Kong’s minibuses, vehicles used to reach places standard buses cannot.

Fiercely pointing out the flaws of the jeepney modernization, "Bunso", also a traditional jeepney driver for almost three decades, said that should the jeepney phaseout be implemented, there will be a great loss to every jeepney driver’s family.

"Maraming epekto, dahil gawa nga ng yung dyip namin imbis na wala kaming utang, magkakautang kami na malaki: milyon. Yung dyip naming pansarili, magkakaroon kami ng amo ngayon", he expressed. 

Among others, what worries him most about such a policy is its effect on the education of their children: "Kahit paano nakakapagpa-aral kami. Ngayon, ‘pag dumating yang modern na yan, baka hindi na kami makapagpa-aral kahit kinder."

He also cannot help but feel bad for fellow drivers who switched to modernized jeepneys because he is certain they are in debt with millions of pesos. "Malaki hulog doon sa modern... tatlong milyon ‘yon", he said.

Asked if he would ever be in favor of the jeepney modernization program, "Kahit kailan, hindi.", he ended.

The sentiments of Mang Renato, Mang JR, and Bunso were only among the many from the transport sector who will be directly affected by the controversial PUV modernization program that most of them believe to be "anti-poor."

The PUVMP was issued way back in 2017 under DOTr Department Order No. 2017-011, also known as the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance, during the Duterte administration. Its importance was restated by Transportation Secretary Jamie Bautista under the Marcos administration, with the same aim to provide the Filipinos with a safe and environmentally sustainable transportation system despite the expensive transition that would leave most jeepney drivers behind. | via Andrea Apit, Caryl Flores, Athena Morales, & Nash Villena, BA Journalism 2A

#NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary #NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary #NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary

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Baha pa rin? (Hagonoy, Bulacan)

Arsenia Carlos Santos, brngy. Sagrada 

‘’Pag tumataas ang tubig, hihinto ang ang mga tricycle sa pamamasada.’’

Mercidita Dela Cruz, brngy. Sagrada

‘’Lumalaki ang tubig’’

Milo Geronimo, brngy. sagrada

‘’Dahil po sa malakas na bagyo at hangin, lumubog po ang aming palaisdaan.’’

Joy Andrea Leoncio, brngy. Sta. Monica (18)

‘’madami nading hindi magawa dito pag merong baha at isa nadon ang pagkaroon ng pasok.’’

Genesis De Mesa, brngy. Sagrada (17)

‘’biglaang pag laki ng tubig dulot ng pag kakasabay kung minsan ng bagyo at high tide.’’

Mariza hernandez, brngy. Sagrada (58)

‘’Yung ulan lang nagiging baha na.’’

Annie Dela Cruz, brngy. Sta Elena (32)

‘’Wala pa kaming kakayahang bumili ng lupa sa mataas na lugar kaya nagtitiis nalang kami sa baha.’’

Michael De Mesa, brngy. Sagrada (38)

‘’Baha, pagbaba ng lupa dahil sa pagpapatayo ng airport wala ng puntahan ang tubig kaya kami binabaha.’’

Ana Corita M. Martin, brngy. Sagrada (55)

‘’nasanay nalang din kami kaysa sa lumipat pa eh nandito ang trabaho. ‘’

Emman Cruz, brngy. Sto. Rosario (19)

‘’simulat sapul nakalakihan na namin yung baha tsaka narito din yung hanap buhay namin.’’

Based on their answers, the survey concluded that most of the people’s concern living in Hagonoy, Bulacan is the flood problem. It became normal to them to the point that most of them won’t leave the place if given a chance because they live here and they are used to it. The jobs they know are here so why do they need to leave. Three of the participants are still students and one of them answered that because of the flooding, the schools are closed most of the time. One of them is a fisherman, the issue affected their fishery, Milo said. According to them when they asked what are the actions of the government to the said issue and they respond ‘’wala’’, ‘’hindi ito pang matagalan kumabaga parang pansamantalang lunas lamang.’’ 

As someone who lived in Hagonoy, Bulacan, the problem of floods has been everyone's problem ever since. Even though there is no typhoon or even light rain, the water is still rising because it is surrounded by Manila Bay and the West Philippine Sea, it is where the water flows when it rains and every time it is high tide. The projects on fixing the roads and raising the areas will always be the people in Hagonoy wanted to finish. According to them the government will start for a while then stop and it becomes a cycle in the place. However, it will be hard for them to leave the place because their lives are here, and they see the place as their easy way to make money for their families.