The government has long since had great ambitions for the future of the Philippine transportation system. Their plan for replacing our traditional diesel-powered jeepneys with electrical minibusses--though seemingly well-intentioned--has been filled with criticism.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been inundated with corruption scandals. Most recently, they have been involved in a “lagayan” or bribery scheme involving franchises for PUVs and other transactions. The LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III has allegedly accepted P5 million in bribes involving jeepney franchises and route changes.
That hasn’t been the only criticism of the modernization plan. These electric minibusses are incredibly expensive, with prices ranging from P1.8 million to P2.8 million. It is important to note they are jeepney drivers, not millionaires. These problems, along with others, has halted the jeepney modernization plan in its tracks.
This has resulted in a record-tying four days of strikes, which has affected the greater Manila area, especially students and workers.
Students already have to deal with long travel times and increasing fares, now they also have to deal with the absence of jeepneys themselves.
When all is said and done, jeepney drivers are not the people's enemy. They are also victims of a corrupt and oppressive system.