CITY OF MALOLOS — The Bulacan Federation of Jeepney Drivers and Operators Association did not participate in the transport strike on Tuesday (January 16).

The federation headed by Ato Ignacio confirmed in a text message to ARKIPELAGO NEWS BULACAN that members of their federation did not join the transport strike.

The federation comprises 17 jeepney drivers and operators associations in Bulacan, whose members operate on the major thoroughfares in the province.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Police Office of Bulacan has not monitored any transport strike along jeepney routes in the province as of 1:00 pm on January 16, said Capt. Joan Quizon, information officer of the Bulacan PNP.

However, as these developed, Ignacio said they support the “no to jeepney phase out” campaign of the striking transport groups.

He said that he has already filed for consolidation for their group but pointed out that they would not procure modern jeeps.

Ignacio suggested that the government encourage jeepney operators to replace their old traditional jeepney engines with environmentally friendly Euro 4 compliant engines and repair the jeepney bodies instead of mandating the purchase of modern ones.

He also emphasized their disagreement with the process for procuring modern jeeps, which requires approval from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Transportation Cooperatives and the Cooperative Development Authority.

File photo/Arkipelago News Bulacan