By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The protesting groups in the transport sector have found a passionate ally in presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos who lambasted the December 31 deadline this year for the public utility vehicles (PUVs) to get consolidated and to join transport cooperatives or corporations.
“Malawakang transport strike ang babati sa taumbayan mula ika-29 ng Disyembre hanggang sa pagpasok ng bagong taon. Maawa tayo sa mga tsuper at operator, sa mga commuter, trabahador, at estudyante, sa negosyo, at maliliit na negosyanteng umaasa sa jeep at PUV,” she lamented.
At the same time, Sen. Imee noted that the modern jeepney with Euro 4-compliant engine is “too expensive” at P2.5 million per unit for the ordinary jeepney driver, who also has to deal with soaring gas prices.
“Sino bang may ayaw ng bagong sasakyan? Pero sino naman, sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, ang may pambayad?” the lady senator from Ilocos Norte asked.
Senator Imee pointed out that the government subsidy for affected drivers at P210,000 to P280,000 is “just a fraction” of the P2.5 million cost of the modern jeepney.
On Thursday (December 28), Sen. Marcos said she also worries for the commuting public whose holidays were spoiled by the strike waged by drivers who opposed the traditional jeepney phase-out.
She questioned why drivers and operators are compelled to consolidate into cooperatives.
“At bakit nga ba pipilitin ang libu-libong operator at drayber na mag-myembro ng transport coop? Kung ngayon may-ari at maliit na negosyante ang turing sa kanila, sa ilalim ng coop magiging hamak na empleyado na lang ba sila?” she asked.
The presidential sister also expressed apprehension that the use of modern jeepneys would eventually increase the transport fare.
“Sa laki ng gagastusin para bumili ng bagong sasakyan, magkano naman ang itataas ng pamasahe?” she asked.
(IAmigo/MNM)
