Franchise Consolidation?
Sounds like "Intrusion by Entrenched Interests."
The article, entitled "For Jeepney Drivers, Franchise Consolidation Spelled Financial Loss", shows the program, supposed to appear "empowering" with the creation of cooperatives and promises of support from the government to those who join, rather face the contrary- that of disempowered drivers with meagre earnings.
Because of the consolidation plan, jeepney drivers operating on a route are required to establish or join a cooperative or corporation in order to maintain their operating license. The PUVMP is opposed by groups because it forces PUV operators to take out expensive loans in order to purchase a "modern jeepney."
“Emerson Bismonte, 45, has been a jeepney driver for 18 years plying the Pasig-Bagumbayan route. When the government announced that traditional jeepneys would be phased out in 2017, he immediately joined the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) in 2022 in hopes of keeping his livelihood.” The article said.
“But as his earnings were not enough to sustain him and his family, after three months, he went back to driving traditional jeepneys.” The article added.
Quite convincing at first for both operators and drivers who wished for improved mass transportation systems such as the Jeepney, or even the UV express; and some were willing to join the program in hopes of keeping their livelihood- with promises of modern jeepneys to use and “better income” would say that the program sound pleasing.
However, with contradictions such as threats of depriving their franchises for not joining, inadequate support, to that of "new" yet "deteriorating" "modern jeepneys", then no wonder protests against that "sham" program and the assertion of just, inclusive, and better alternatives are being called for by these affected sectors. Bismonte’s experience in driving a "modern jeepney" shows an inconvenient truth according to the article- that whereas being a traditional jeepney driver whom he as in charge able to earn P2,000 each day, the “modernisation program” in which modern jeepneys are owned by a “cooperative” or a private corporation, he as an "employee" takes home only P700 even if he earns the P4,000 daily quota.
However, with contradictions such as threats of depriving their franchises for not joining, inadequate support, to that of "new" yet "deteriorating" "modern jeepneys", then no wonder protests against that "sham" program and the assertion of just, inclusive, and better alternatives are being called for by these affected sectors. Bismonte’s experience in driving a "modern jeepney" shows an inconvenient truth according to the article- that whereas being a traditional jeepney driver whom he as in charge able to earn P2,000 each day, the “modernisation program” in which modern jeepneys are owned by a “cooperative” or a private corporation, he as an "employee" takes home only P700 even if he earns the P4,000 daily quota.
If one may ask, is the promise of a better living courtesy of that modernisation program really benefited the drivers? Supporters of the program says that by joining the cooperative/or the corporation, the driver pays well, and there were social security benefits such as PhilHealth, Social Security, and Pag-IBIG Fund to avail housing loans; but as what Mr. Bismonte experienced- that of earning 700 pesos if he earns a 4,000 daily quota, or even lower, isn’t it that a sham? He was promised to be given benefits as stated above, yet still gained none, is the consolidation under the modernisation program really benefited the drivers who at first self-employed to begin with?
that sham consolidation and pretentious modernisation doesn’t suffice the problem regarding mass transport what more that of the driver's woes.
It is not surprising that its supporters talk about sacrifice and the need for contentment but until when drivers had to endure a meagre pay in the face of rising standards of living? That’s bullshit! The profiteers especially bureaucrats reap their profits in that venture called “modernisation” at the expense of the needy driver and commuter! And now that the drivers, operators, assemblers, and even commuters starting to complain and protest about the “modernisation” problem these apologists cry about the environment, “destabilisation”, “terrorism”, or whatsoever just to undermine the just calls for resolving problems related to the program itself- especially with the bogus, anti-driver plan to “modernize” transportation, hundreds of thousands of jeepney drivers and operators will risk losing their source of income and livelihood.
How much that modern jeepney? More than a million as these are imported from China or Korea/or assembled in the Philippines using imported parts? And yet the driver can't earn better despite reaching a boundary? Most traditional jeepney drivers able to recondition their trusty vehicles to become "workable" and if necessary buy new but affordable from local assemblers. The latter, also affected by that "modernisation" demanded inclusion in the need for improving yet those pretentious "modernisers" rather sided with the importers offering overpriced "modern jeepneys" mostly minibuses! Cooperatives? Is there any fairness in sharing profits like Mr. Bismonte taking home only P700 despite earning a daily quota of 4000? True that Profit-sharing here is not an end in itself, but simply a means for carrying out the cooperative ideal, or maybe that "cooperative" serve as a front for profiteers pretending to be supportive of the driver and the commuter?
Again, the transport sector questions the program if not asserts the need for an inclusive, sustainable, and better alternative to what profiteers insisted- for the fact that the consolidation under this "modernisation" program is itself an intrusion on public demands for efficient and sustainable mass transport by entrenched interests.