ILOILO’S JEEPNEY ‘PASAD’ INDUSTRY IS DYING… OR IS IT ALREADY DEAD?
THE PUBLIC Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government, while aimed at enhancing the transportation sector, has multifaceted adverse effects that extend well beyond the visible displacement of the iconic jeepney, its drivers, and operators.
This initiative not only threatens a cultural symbol but also precipitates significant economic repercussions for the local jeepney assembly industry, particularly in regions like Western Visayas where the industry is known as “pasad.” Haslo!
Historically, the jeepney pasad industry in Iloilo has been a major player of the local economy, not merely by manufacturing and supplying jeepney units but by being a substantial source of employment for hundreds, if not thousands, of residents.
The pasad industry has not only provided livelihoods directly through jeepney assembly but has also stimulated auxiliary businesses, including parts suppliers, maintenance services, and even local retail businesses that catered to workers and their families.
However, the aggressive push for modernization, which favors the adoption of mini buses over traditional jeepneys, has led to an alarming downturn in demand for pasad- assembled jeepneys.
This decline has not been gradual; it has been a plummet to virtually zero orders, forcing many jeepney pasad businesses or local jeepney assemblers to shutter. Ahay…
The fallout from these closures is profound, with a ripple effect that extends far beyond the immediate loss of business revenue.
The economic dislocation caused by the PUVMP is severe, impacting not only those directly employed by the jeepney pasad industry but also those in peripheral sectors. The program’s effect on the workforce is catastrophic, leaving many without a means to earn a living in an already challenging economic environment. Tonto!
These workers, many of whom have families dependent on their income, are facing acute financial distress without clear alternatives for employment. Ano ang nahatag sang gobyerno sa ila? Perwisyo publiko! Tarso!