THE ballyhooed Tigil-Pasada of the jeepney operators and drivers failed to pressure the government to suspend the jeepney modernization plan, and it’s just as well.

The threat to stage a strike each time it disagrees with a policy is an old ploy that the jeepney operators should have known that over the years, the government would have already found the effective response to neutralize the threat. And it did!

It’s time the operators and drivers learn that simply disagreeing with a threat no longer works. Only a meaningful dialogue can help them. It means presenting viable alternatives that support government vision and objectives, not countering it.

The operators can consider the following to start a dialogue, specifically presenting an option for modernization program with the following minimum requirements while maintaining old jeepney body design because of its historical and cultural value:

Specifically, owners and operators of old jeepney designs will agree to –

1. Replace old engine with new engine with minimum specs.
2. Replace old brake and suspension system and tires with new sets.
3. Install new electrical wires, new headlamps and rear brake lights.
4. Body will be repainted with cultural values and seats will be re-upholstered.
5. System will be subjected to inspection every 3 years.
6. Financial loans for each unit will be made available to operators.
   7. The re-engineering must be done by accredited mechanic shops in towns where LTO offices are located for easy monitoring by LTFRB marshals. (Accredited shops that employ replacements to cheat the system should lose their accreditation and fined).

Such a plan will not only boost livelihood and tourism in the countryside, but the costs of  re-engineering will definitely be more affordable than present program’s financial requirements for modernization – an entirely new bus by a cooperative.

Individual ownership with accountability also develops entrepreneurial spirit.

An alternative such as this should augur well for a meaningful dialogue. But will the jeepney operators opt to take it to the negotiating table, or just wait for another time to stage another Tigil-Pasada?

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