Overseas Filipinos in solidarity with the Transport Strike #NoToJeepneyPhaseout
Malaya Movement USA statement on the transport strike
The Malaya Movement USA stands in full solidarity with the striking jeepney drivers in the Philippines. We echo their demands of junking the Government’s so-called “jeepney modernization” program. We call on overseas Filipinos to mobilize support, moral and material, towards the striking jeepney drivers.
The “Jeepney Modernization” Program was launched by the Duterte regime in 2017. It aimed at phasing out public utility vehicles, particularly jeepneys that are 15 years old and above. The deadline of this phaseout is supposed to be this June 23, 2023. This program will lead to the disadvantage, displacement and elimination of small jeepney drivers and operators and benefit big corporations who have access to large capital. Due to the threat of a week-long strike by various transport groups, the Philippine government has moved the deadline to December 31, 2023. But this does not solve the problem and only seeks to delay it.
The “Jeep Modernization” program is characteristic of the chokehold corporate interests have on the highest rungs of government, which is all too happy to deny any upward mobility to the 82% of Filipino families who consider themselves impoverished.
We in the Malaya Movement USA believe that modernization must give utmost importance to the interest, welfare and perspectives of the poor and most vulnerable in society. Not modernisation at their expense. We echo and amplify the position and the demands of various transport organizations to totally junk the PUV/Jeepney phaseout, and oppose the corporate takeover of public transport that will further rob the poor of their livelihood.
We condemn the government’s efforts to downplay the strike instead of responding to the grievances of our jeepney drivers and small time operators. We condemn the Philippine National Police (PNP) who have been reportedly harassing striking jeepney drivers and their supporters at various protest camps.
We especially condemn Sara Duterte’s pronouncements calling the strike as “communist inspired.” This is a clear expression of the twisted logic of government officials like Sara Duterte who sees all forms of concerted and collective action for a common good as “communist inspired.” We must remind the PNP and Sara Duterte that these actions are constitutionally guaranteed. Statements and responses of government officials like this are not only counterproductive but also incite the repeated violence against free speech that the Philippine government is increasingly known for.
We also condemn Marcos Jr’s seemingly half-hearted response to the demands of the jeepney drivers and small operators. Marcos Jr., in an interview, said that the phasing out of jeepneys was “badly implemented.” We demand that Marcos Jr. issue an executive order putting a stop to any relevant orders aimed at phasing out jeepneys and small time operators.
We call on our members, allies and supporters to take action and mobilize support for the week-long strike.
Support the strike by:
Keep up to date with the ongoing transport strike by following No To Jeepney Phaseout Coalition
Show your support by issuing statements of solidarity
Post your support on social media and use hashtags #NoToJeepneyPhaseout
We are collaborating with BAYAN-USA in raising funds in support of the strike.
