03:08Thousands of jeepney (public taxi bus) drivers in Quezon City joined a three-day nationwide strike on Wednesday, protesting against the phase-out under the government's public utility vehicle modernisation programme (PUVMP).
Footage shows protesters marching with Federation of Drivers, Commuters, and United Transportation Terminals (Manibela) flags and banners among others reading: 'No to jeepney phase out' and 'Abandon foreign and business modernisation' at Mabuhay Rotonda roundabout.
"We are asking to extend our five-year jeepney franchise as we are transitioning to the modernisation program," jeepney driver Allan Manguerra said.
"Jeepney is important to the poor because this is the cheapest mode of public transportation, and the jeepney is a historical and iconic symbol in our country and foreigners visiting us ride the jeep," another protester Mody Floranda added.
PUVMP kicked off in 2017 with the government intending to make the country's public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020. However, the programme was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The program targets termination of jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with imported minibuses, according to local media.
'Jeepney's are important for the poor... and iconic!' - Thousands of drivers join nationwide strike against public taxi buses phase-out in Philippines
Thousands of jeepney (public taxi bus) drivers in Quezon City joined a three-day nationwide strike on Wednesday, protesting against the phase-out under the government's public utility vehicle modernisation programme (PUVMP).
Footage shows protesters marching with Federation of Drivers, Commuters, and United Transportation Terminals (Manibela) flags and banners among others reading: 'No to jeepney phase out' and 'Abandon foreign and business modernisation' at Mabuhay Rotonda roundabout.
"We are asking to extend our five-year jeepney franchise as we are transitioning to the modernisation program," jeepney driver Allan Manguerra said.
"Jeepney is important to the poor because this is the cheapest mode of public transportation, and the jeepney is a historical and iconic symbol in our country and foreigners visiting us ride the jeep," another protester Mody Floranda added.
PUVMP kicked off in 2017 with the government intending to make the country's public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020. However, the programme was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The program targets termination of jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with imported minibuses, according to local media.
Thousands of jeepney (public taxi bus) drivers in Quezon City joined a three-day nationwide strike on Wednesday, protesting against the phase-out under the government's public utility vehicle modernisation programme (PUVMP).
Footage shows protesters marching with Federation of Drivers, Commuters, and United Transportation Terminals (Manibela) flags and banners among others reading: 'No to jeepney phase out' and 'Abandon foreign and business modernisation' at Mabuhay Rotonda roundabout.
"We are asking to extend our five-year jeepney franchise as we are transitioning to the modernisation program," jeepney driver Allan Manguerra said.
"Jeepney is important to the poor because this is the cheapest mode of public transportation, and the jeepney is a historical and iconic symbol in our country and foreigners visiting us ride the jeep," another protester Mody Floranda added.
PUVMP kicked off in 2017 with the government intending to make the country's public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020. However, the programme was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The program targets termination of jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with imported minibuses, according to local media.