Tigil-pasada: a critical political economy perspective of jeepney modernization

Abstract

For many long years, jeepneys had been improved by ordinary citizens to better serve the Filipino people. Unfortunately, with the government's recently-issued Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, the jeepney industry is currently facing its unimaginable dissolution. The industry is being handed over from the service of ordinary citizens to the control of profit-seeking businesses, which in the process could bring colossal job loss and greater poverty to the Filipinos. Therefore, this paper provides a critical analysis whether the PUV Modernization Program is viable for the jeepney drivers in all aspects. To answer this question, the researcher gathered data regarding the knowledge, perception, attitude, daily expense and financial capability of the jeepney drivers in relation to the program. The results show that the program is not viable for the jeepney drivers. The jeepney drivers had minimal knowledge regarding the various aspects of the program. The results revealed that they disagree with the program and they perceive that it will have a detrimental impact to their way of living. Findings show that they do not have the financial capability to comply given their already-existing daily expenses. Hence, they agreed that alternative solutions to the program were necessary. The study gives emphasis towards the need of bringing into light the adverse impacts of the program toward its citizens. Furthermore, the study concludes that there is a need for alternative solutions to the program such as the rehabilitation of existing jeepneys and national industrialization. These are for the purpose of achieving a viable program implementation that will benefit the public's interest.