BALANGA CITY — Commuters in Bataan using passenger jeepneys have nothing to worry. Leaders of jeepney associations in different routes in the province on Sunday announced they are not joining the one-week transport strike beginning Monday.
To continue plying their respective routes are members of the Abucay–Balanga Operators and Drivers Association (ABODA) with 45 units, Balanga–Orani Transport Service Multipurpose Cooperative (BOTS-MPC) with 15 modernized units and 15 traditional ones.
Also, United Bataan Operators and Drivers Transport Service Cooperative (UBOD-TSC) with 61 units, Balanga–Lamao Operators and Drivers Association with 60 units and Bataan Jeepney Operators and Drivers Transport Service Cooperative with 45 units.
Joseph Medina, president of ABODA, said they will not join the transport halt being members of a cooperative and also do not want to lose and burden the commuters: “Ayaw naming pahirapan ang mga commuters at mawala sila sa amin dahil sila bumubuhay sa pamamasada namin.”
Medina lamented though they may be forced to accept PUV modernization but for sure, they will find it hard: “Hindi kakayanin ang hulog sa isang modernized jeepney sa liit ng rota namin at mahihirapan kami dahil ang kinikita ng drivers namin ay nasa P300-P400 lang isang araw kaya saan sila kukuha ng ipanghuhulog sa modernization?”
“Para sa akin ay i-repair na lang ang matatandang sasakyan namin at ayusin dahil ito ay matatag at magaganda pa naman at pwede pa namang ipamasada at safe naman para sa mga commuters,” he added.
Santie Mananquil, chairman of BOTS-MPC, said that being a cooperative and having turned into modernization, their group will not join the transport strike that is being prohibited by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
He said they do not want to have a problem on their franchise. “Tungkol naman sa PUV modernization, kami ay pumasok na sa modernization at ito naman ay napagkaisahan ng pamunuan at mga miyembro na handa kaming sumunod sa gobyerno.”
Mananquil appealed to other jeepney drivers and operators to join in the modernization program and the cooperative. He said that their organization having registered as a cooperative since 2009 has received many subsidies and incentives that helped them go into modernization.
Mananquil’s group operates 15 modernized jeepneys.
Ruel Magsino, chairman of UBOD-TSC, said he wanted, if possible, a review of the law on PUB modernization. “Mahirap, walang kakayahang magbayad ng milyong piso ang isang driver o operator.”
“Maganda sana i-upgrade na lang ang dati naming ginagamit para hindi kami mabaon sa utang at magutom,” Magsino added.
Arnulfo Vitangcol, president of Balanga–Lamao Operators and Drivers Association, like the rest of the jeepney leaders decided not to join the transport strike. “Kung ano maganda, yon sana gawin ng LTFRB at ng pamahalaan.”
But Vitangcol has one wish: “Pero huwag naman sanang ipilit ang mahal na sasakyan.”
