Culture and Ordinariness By The Wayside

When Jeepney Modernization meets its fulfillment, that will be the corruption of the king that has traversed the Philippine road — in a very literal sense — over long decades of history. Coined as “Hari ng Kalsada” (King of Road), traditional jeepneys have not merely marked the post-colonial Philippines with the remnants of its oppressors, but drew the value between the Filipinos where honesty is enculturated and the spirit of bayanihan lives on. 

As these vehicles pass through the landscapes and highways, our culture materializes and our diverse stories are jam-packed into a few meter-long seats, facing people who echo the same volume of ordinariness as we do. 

However, when we put this material by the wayside and forget what it had served in our humanity over its long-running existence in the scene, where can we resettle the face of the ordinary? Will the transition cater room for our fellows isolated from the mainstream?

We are not solely talking about students and professionals who, more likely than not, take pleasure in having to go back and forth, to and fro, destinations in air-conditioned spaces and comfortable seats. But, the enduring, equally important matter of concern poses the question; What about others?

People from the coastal, upland, and even mainland, share a unique practice in the departments of markets and groceries. Our culture deems it usual to load jeepney vehicles with perishables and bring home what we shopped for beyond shadows of shame. Eliminating traditional jeepneys, however, is in much the same manner as de-normalizing this tradition of acquiring purchases at hand and delivering them home.

“Kasi kapag ito (Jeepney Modernization) nangyari, kadakol mawawaran trabaho. Nagkakantidad 2.4 [milyon]. Mahalon! [Alagad] dae pwedeng isakay ang mga panaod ta mamamarong kasi Aircon,”  50-year-old Sonny Antonio asserted, a driver for 15 years from Pasacao, Camarines Sur. 

While a cargo of goods one procured can freely slide through the metal jeepney floors thus far, it would not be the same once modernized jeepneys take over the routes and norms. We efface a tradition and prepare no room for such gestures that mirror the ordinary life of Filipino culture. 

Dethroned: The Vanished Kingdom

With the new model of the jeepney being proposed by the government, the colorful, quirky jeepney models that we have been using since the end of World War II, are now slowly being pushed to the side. Eco-friendly, fully air-conditioned, modernized jeepneys are now yet to be enthroned as the new “Hari ng Kalsada” (King of the Roads)—placing the traditional jeepneys behind the limelight.

Regardless, jeepney drivers have continuously lamented the difficulties implied by modernized jeepney operations and expressed defiance against the crooked transition. Manufactured and produced in a foreign land, away from the prickly heat and tedious road of the Philippines, its parts and cable linings are completely of a different breed. 

“Si co-driver mi nag drive kayang modernized. Ang sabi magayon. May time na may naraot na sarong unit, haloy nakaparking diyan sana sa gilid. Ang problema lang si cable pero mayong mahanap na pampalit ta mayo igdi sa Pinas. Ma-order pa sa ibang bansa. Hunaon mo yan, ining jeep mi kapag naraot, kadakol auto supply diyan sa gilid. Digdi sato na ikot ikot sana, dae yan kakayanon kang makina,” narrated Edwin Balatinsayo, 50 years old and a jeepney driver for 25 years.

Despite being modernized, jeepney drivers reiterated that these jeepney models will never last for the long run. With the heavy traffic and long roads of the country, an electric-operated public transport vehicle will not survive for years without overheating and malfunctioning. Amidst the Filipinos’ skill in repairing machinery, modernized jeepneys are certainly out of everyone's capability. Its parts and cable linings hinder the repair process as they must be derived from the same land where the jeepney is birthed and produced. Hence, once damaged, even just a single part, operators and drivers must order it from those foreign countries where the jeepney unit is procured. This is no less a manifestation of how greedy and elitist a modernized jeepney may be – in which a minimum-wage earner driver will lose a good chunk of their salary for a single purchase of this model. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has always suggested that the transition to modernized jeepneys will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, toxic fumes, and other air pollutants through its combustion engines. However, the removal of traditional jeepneys on the roads will have little to no impact on improving the environmental state of the country. According to the Department of Energy and LTFRB data, the Philippines has more than 9,000,000 registered vehicles, of which only 2% or 250,000 are jeepneys. Despite claiming that the modernized jeepney is eco-friendly, the larger part of the pollutants will proceed to contribute toxic fumes, whereas jeepney drivers are battling for a spot within public transportation. Eliminating a small part of these enormous amounts will not reduce the exhaustion of air pollutants, but will only aggravate the already vulnerable and underprivileged citizens.

“Bako man tong jeep, mini bus baga ‘to. Sain ang image kang jeep duman?” a question raised by Balatinsayo.

Traditional jeepneys are the pride of Filipinos. Losing this image will leave a hole in our culture. Drivers, transport groups, and even commuters grieve for the sudden transition of jeepneys. Drivers dubbed this new model “minibus” instead of “jeepney” as its features resemble small bus’ structures. Drivers now fear that as modernized jeepneys ought to soon fill the roads, the huge, brightly-colored traditional jeepneys will completely vanish in the sector of public transport.

“Igdi baga nagsikat ang Pinas. Kasi kapag sinabing Pilipinas, jeep baga sikat sa ibang bansa. Basta jeep man giraray. Pero bako lang arog kaito na garo mini bus.” Antonio expressed.

‘Maharali na kami’: Leaving the Plane in Bid of Change

As December 31st is slowly creeping in which is the last day for transport sectors to submit viable requirements for the process and procurement of modernized jeepneys, drivers of Naga City forecasted their nearing departure from the road once the modernized jeepney program takes its full blow.

“Ang plano mi dae na kami mabyahe. Maharali na kami. Mahanap kaming ibang trabaho, basta legal, kapag natuloy na yan,” Harold Ballester, a four-year jeepney driver, remarked. 

Jeepney drivers have always been at the frontline of public transportation. Engraved in the history of every Filipino, our traditional jeepney drivers served as one of our vehicles for every walk of life. And as the modernized jeepney promises to replace the traditional, it is antagonizing that the people who used to bring us to our destination will now park on the sideline. With its unpredictable wages, jeepney drivers continue to roam the roads and bring service to every commuter. However, a minimum of 500 pesos daily wage for modernized jeepney drivers will not suffice the expenses of a small Filipino family, especially today when inflation continues to skyrocket. As a reroute, drivers find it wiser to opt for other jobs that will equip them with dignified salaries — one that will render them enough to cater to whom they serve. 

“Ika man may iskwela na tulo o apat, magkasya man daw ang 800 sa sarong aldaw? Ay mayo na ipupuli mo sa pamilya mo, kakarampot na lang,“ lamented Balatinsayo.

With the ongoing talk and debate of today's modernization program, our fellow jeepney drivers are either on the brink of losing their jobs or amid coercion to succumb to greater debts. Either way, one thing is certain: jeepney drivers will suffer more and the commuters will feel the burden next. The jeepney operators will eventually lose their jeepney units, and everyone will feel the effects — except, of course, the one percent and the rich. 

“Ano man ibabayad kang mga pobre?”, the jeepney drivers inquired collectively.

Jeepney drivers constantly emphasize that they are not against modernization, but only hope that this sudden change will be inclusive for everyone, especially for the marginalized individuals. Due to the high cost of a modernized jeepney, drivers collectively asked the government to make this modernization process less costly, as the current contracts and conditions are a burden to every driver. 

“Dae pwedeng tanggihan ta para sato ‘yan. Magayon na, malinig na, ta pollution na baga kita. Problema mi, gurano magkano sarong jeep, mahigit 2.6 milyon,” Balatinsayo lamented.

The modernization program is an anti-poor campaign. The price speaks for itself; a price of 2.4 to 2.6 million pesos for a unit — which is 1,766.7% more expensive than the traditional one — is simply too much for drivers and operators who barely survive to make ends meet. Not even a 20-year-long driving can make one amass enough money to procure a unit, much less when one fulfills the role of the breadwinner in the family. Only business tycoons will thrive while the marginalized will further flank lower and deeper into the pits of poverty. 

“Ang style ninda bakong pagtabang sa kasaraditan, ilinulubog ninda eh, idinududo.”