Kulang sa kita: PUJ groups seek Alan Cayetano’s help to shine spotlight on their plight

By Billy Begas

Leaders of public utility jeepney (PUJ) groups have sought the help of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to bring their plight to the national government amid the health pandemic.

In a dialogue, officials of major PUJ associations urged Cayetano discuss their problems with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) especially the limited number of jeepneys allowed to operate.

“Hindi lang po para sa sarili nila ‘yan kundi para rin sa mga commuter at para din po sa mga negosyong nakasalalay din po sa pag-ikot nila,” Cayetano said.

Boy Rebańo, national president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), said jeepney drivers who were allowed to operate now are only earning P500 to P600 a day, way below the P1,800 to P2,000 they were earning before the pandemic.

“Binigyan lang po ng 50 percent capacity ang bawat nine-seater. Hindi po talaga sila kumikita,” Rebańo said.

Lando Marquez, national president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operator ng Pilipinas (LTOP), said they want to comply with jeepney modernization program but they need financial support.

Marquez also urged Congress to pass a measure that will reallocate at least 10% of taxes collected from petroleum products, tires and motor vehicle spare parts to fund programs for the transport group.

“Taxpayer naman kami kasama ng 4Ps, kasama ng sin tax. Bakit kami na nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan, bakit wala kaming sariling pondo?” Marquez pointed out.

Cayetano vowed to collate all the concerns of the jeepney drivers and operators and facilitate talks with some senators, House members, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)