Drivers and operators, led by the No to PUV Phaseout Coalition – Western Visayas, from the “first towns” surrounding Iloilo, including Leganes, Pavia, Oton, and San Miguel, took decisive action by holding a transport strike on June 3. Their protest aimed to challenge the implementation of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), a key component of the public transport modernization program in Iloilo City. The LPTRP seeks to limit the number of jeepneys entering the city during peak hours, allowing only 25% of jeepneys to enter, plus a 15% buffer.
The impact was devastating. One driver saw their daily income plummet from P700-P800 to a mere P300 due to the new scheme. Faced with the gravity of the situation, the Iloilo provincial government was compelled to engage in a dialogue with the affected drivers and operators. As a result, they agreed to increase the number of allowed jeepneys to 40% during peak hours.
While this concession marks an initial win for transport workers in Iloilo, it falls short of addressing the full impact on drivers, operators, and commuters. It’s a stark reminder that the entire public transport modernization program—including the LPTRP—threatens transport workers’ livelihoods and worsens commuters’ hardships.