Kalinga jeepney drivers rally vs modernization plan

BAGUIO CITY – A jeepney drivers and operators organization in Kalinga province staged a protest rally around Tabuk City on Tuesday (July 17) against the government’s transport modernization program, believing it would lead to the phase-out of public jeepneys.

As many as 200 jeepney operators and drivers belonging to the Kalinga Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (KaFeJODA) rolled around the city on board 60 jeepneys before heading for the Kalinga Provincial Capitol, where they presented their case before the Provincial Board.

Earlier on July 9, some 150 drivers, operators and Kalinga commuters marched around Tabuk before trooping to the city council to submit a position paper against the jeepney modernization program, which is outlined in the Department of Transportation’s Department Order No. 217-011 (the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines).

Alma Candelario, a KaFeJODA representative, said the government program affects single-unit owners, and would enrich corporations or businessmen who are equipped to buy a minimum of 15 units of modern jeeps./lb