Last Monday and today, October 16 and 17, Malacañang announced that,

Classes in all levels, both public and private schools, and government work, will be suspended nationwide...to minimize public inconvenience arising from the planned nationwide transportation strike.

Cheers to students and government employees who wished to have longer weekend! As for us working in private companies, there will always be that Monday Blues.

What is a transportation strike?

A transportation strike is when a group of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators stop their operation to voice out their causes to the government.

What is the cause for this 2-day transport strike?

The strike is a way to show the disapproval of the operators and drivers on the new PUV Modernization program of the government. This program mandates the replacement of jeepneys 15 years old and above to make way for a safer and environment-friendly transportation in the Philippines. They are against since they believe that normal drivers could not afford to replace with new jeepneys which could cost almost one-million pesos.

What does the PUV Modernization Program include?

Replacement of jeepneys 15 years old and above (around 180,000 jeepneys for replacement)
Use safer, eco-friendly and comfortable jeepneys with added features like wifi, automated fare collection system, gps, cctv and dashboard camera
Drivers/Operators who need to replace their jeepneys are given an opportunity to loan in government banks
Possible increase in fare to P20

What is it for us?

For me, as a commuter, I agree with the replacement of old PUVs. I had an experience wherein the jeepney I was riding just stopped and would not run anymore when it is about to go up a bridge. It was both frustrating, wherein I had to cross the bridge by foot; and scary that the jeep might run reversely and cause an accident.

It is true that this change can really create a great impact to everyone. But if this program will not pursue, when will we start to change and improve with our transportation system? Other countries already have bullet trains and other fast and safe mass transport. We have been left out with our neighboring ASEAN countries.