The Filipino Jeepney Driver in Times Like These

BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008

Hurting from the continuous oil price hikes, militant labor leaders echoed their sentiments along the streets of Quezon City during the recent transport strike. All of them were clamoring for changes. All of them were fighting for a better life. As they cheered and chanted their demands, waved flags, raised their banners and burned an effigy, they resembled a picture of tired, tormented but hopeful souls resonating with the purpose of the struggle that united them.

Among the throng, a man with a thin, gloomy face, sun-burnt complexion and wiry built was noticeably observing the protest action from the window of his jeepney. He was wiping perspiration from his face with a towel. One of the participants in the rally asked him to give way to a van that was leaving. He skillfully maneuvered his jeepney without hesitation amid the traffic rushing through Quezon Avenue.

Alfredo Agustin, 54 years old, has been trying to eke out a living by driving a jeepney for almost 30 years now. He told Bulatlat that he started driving a jeepney right after graduating from high school. Agustin said that it was the only employment opportunity available for high school graduates like him.

He has experienced a lot of bad and good things during his long years of driving a jeepney. He has been robbed twice; he still remembers vividly the time he accidentally ran over a person. But it was also while driving his jeepney that he met his second wife who was his regular passenger. Now, they have three children and a number of grandchildren who are also living with them. Although, he sadly shared, he hasn’t seen his first born son ever since his first wife left him.

“Bina-budget na lang,” Agustin replied when asked how they are able to cope with the increases in oil and food prices. Agustin’s wife works as a dressmaker and is a minimum wage earner. “Pati naman na sila (anak) may trabaho pero kailangan pa rin kumayod dahil kulang pa din eh,” (My children are also employed but we all need to work hard because our income is still not enough) said Agustin. “Sa pagkain kasi pinakamalaki napupuntahan yung kinikita naming dahil madami kami. Sunod na yung mga bills sa ilaw at tubig.” (Most of our income goes to food expenses because we are many; then other necessities such as paying electric and water bills) Agustin added.

Worse off now

He recalled that 30 years ago, he used to pay only P150 ($20.32 at the December 1978 exchange rate of $1=P7.38) for his boundary – the amount the driver pays the owner of the jeepney- and the price of diesel was so cheap back then. Now he is paying as much as P700 ($16.35 at the current exchange rate of $1=P 42.80) for the boundary and oil prices have increased rapidly. “Kung ikukumpura eh talagang mas mahirap (kumita) ngayon,” (If I were to compare, it’s really harder to earn money nowadays) said Agustin. He added that he spends an average of P1000 ($23.36) for diesel for every work day (Drivers usually work on alternate days.). “Kaya yung nauuwi ko mga P300 hanggang P500 na lang,” (So I am only able to bring home around P300 to P500 or $7 to $11).