Amidst the usual morning grind that comes before the New Year’s Day celebration, we, the Wounded Healer Greenhouse (WHGH) team found ourselves looking for a jeepney driver. Instead of dozing off in the early morning because of the chilly weather, we braced the canned streets of Mataas Na Kahoy to find a man who would unknowingly change the way we engage in pakikipagkapwa.
Being unfamiliar with the place, we had difficulty getting to our destination, arriving at a garage for modern jeepneys instead. There, we asked around for a man named Isagani Villanueva, the contact person for our charity event “Diwa Ng Kapwa: Pamaskong Handog 2023.” In contrast to the clean white vehicles lined up in a crisp fashion, we were directed across the street where two lone traditional jeepneys were parked atop the rough road, a makeshift shed accompanying them.
This was where we met Kuya Isagani. At a distance, you could already hear his hearty and loud Batangueño laughter, as if in the middle of sharing a playful joke with his fellow mates. Without knowing who we were yet, he turned to us with a wide grin and welcoming eyes. This made us feel immediately at ease and the introductions felt as if we were meeting someone who we already knew.
The reason why we were able to meet Kuya Isagani was the overflow of generosity and support of our community members. After the successful fundraising event for our charity on December 16,2023, we had additional holiday packs to give to a new set of beneficiaries, the jeepney drivers from Mataas Na Kahoy, Lipa City. We chose to support them, given the difficulties traditional jeepney drivers are facing with the implementation of the PUV modernization program. For one, they are being forced to give up their units and turn to expensive modern jeepneys that they couldn’t afford.
Armed with the knowledge that jeepney drivers are having a hard time, we wanted to share our extra holiday packs and contacted Kuya Isagani, President of Lipa-Mataas Na Kahoy Drivers Association (LMDA) at the last minute.
Before hearing his true disposition on the PUV phaseout, you probably wouldn’t think he was bothered at all after greeting us with a bright and warm smile. We thought the holiday packs would simply be a gift to a set of jeepney drivers as if they won raffle prizes. However, we quickly learned Kuya Isagani was distributing the packs to drivers who are threatened to face penalties after joining the nationwide three-day transport strike, on November 23, 2023, a month ahead of the December 31 deadline for PUV consolidation.
While we only intended to stay for a short time, we felt like Kuya Isagani had something important to share, and with that, the reason why we came there, shifted. From giving away holiday packs, we were drawn to hearing more of Kuya Isagani’s and his fellow jeepney drivers’ stories.
As we cozied up on broken plastic chairs, exchanging shy smiles, Kuya Isagani began his story, sharing grievances of how they only wanted to show up to the protest as a simple act of solidarity. It was a display of their basic right to free speech.
“Basta nagparada lang kami, kumakain kami, hindi naman kami nanghaharass na ‘wag na kayo bumyahe.’ Wala kaming ginagawa na nagflaflat ng gulong,” Kuya Isagani said.
["We were just parked, eating. We didn't harass anyone to stop riding [their jeepneys]. We didn't flat anyone's tires," Kuya Isagani said in Filipino.]
Despite their peaceful protest, the LTFRB response was to give a show cause order to those who showed up during the strike, which includes Kuya Isagani and approximately 20 more jeepney drivers.
“Kaya po kami nagwewelga hindi lang pansarili namin pati po sa mga komyuter na apektado kasi pagnatuloy si phaseout, walang traditional, magkano ang magiging pamasahe?”
["The reason we are protesting is not just for the sake of ourselves but also the commuters who will be affected by the phaseout. How much will be their fare?"]
He emphasized that not only drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys and UV Express units would be negatively impacted by the PUV modernization program, but also the Filipino commuters as well due to the possibility of an increase in the fare price.
According to Rivas (2023), a traditional jeepney costs around P150,000 to P250,000 while a modern e-jeepney costs as much as P2.8 million, an overwhelming 1,766.7% increase in cost.
To pay for the cost of a modern jeepney, drivers and operators need to implement a minimum fare hike of ₱25 or ₱30 (CNN, 2023).
On top of these worries, Kuya Isagani shared that his members are unable to join upcoming protests on the PUV phaseout because they are awaiting the verdict of the show cause order.
“Ika nga ho hawak kami sa leeg ngayon,” he said.
["It's like they are holding us by our necks," he said.]
However, he shared that what scares them the most is not being able to support their families who depend on their livelihoods as “kings of the streets.” For more than two decades, Kuya Isagani has relied on his jeepney to provide for his family’s daily needs and to send his children to school.
“Ang gusto lang po namin ay talagang makatulong kami sa aming mga pamilya, mabuhay sila, at maitaguyod [sila] ng marangal.”
["All we want is to help our families, to raise them with dignity."]
Now, on his 27th year as a traditional jeepney driver, Kuya Isagani urges for a stop on the PUV phaseout and a start for collective support and action toward rehabilitating traditional jeepneys to make them road-worthy. Rather than embracing the limited benefits of the PUV modernization program, Kuya Isagani said the government should provide assistance in upgrading their units.
He also calls for his fellow Lipeño traditional jeepney drivers to come together and stand for a more humane and just transition to modernization.
At that moment, the WHGH team knew we weren’t just giving holiday packs to the Mataas Na Kahoy jeepney driver; we were providing a safe space for Kuya Isagani to voice out his concerns and appeals. In turn, we understood on a deeper level what it meant to be a kapwa.
Kapwa is someone you can trust with your honest thoughts because you are trustworthy. What makes a person trustworthy is safety. You feel safe to open up your heart and bare your soul.
Kapwa is being there (pakikisama) and showing up (pakikilahok). Kapwa is empathizing with them (pakikiramdam) and wanting to share in their struggle (pakikibaka).
At the end of our spontaneous interview, the sun was already rising to its throne in the sky, yet the brightest star it seemed was Kuya Isagani’s faith in change and sense of community. Moved by his story, a reflection of millions of jeepney drivers’, we hope to be a platform where they can express the oneness they desire for humanity (pakikiisa). We’ll continue to be a safe space for all seeking for a kapwa.
Kuya Isagani and other jeepney drivers of Mataas Na Kahoy are still waiting whether they will receive penalties from participating in the transport strike.
Source:
Rivas, R. (2023). Why jeepney phaseout is anti-poor, will do little for environment. From: https://www.rappler.com/business/numbers-why-government-phaseout-jeepneys-anti-poor-do-little-environment/
Manibela: ₱25-₱30 jeepney fare needed to cover cost of modernization. (2023). From: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/28/fare-hike-puv-modernization.html
Photos from 📸: Lour Baculpo
Hi, it's Ish! It's been a while since I posted here - I've been busy with charity work as you can see, putting my words into actions. I just want to thank you so much for taking the time to read this!
No promises, but there's so much I want to catch up with you so I hope we can interact again next time 😊
Sending love and light,
Ish
the wounded healer