“The Will Behind the Wheel”
Modernization brought innovation, introducing new opportunities and solutions to existing societal problems. But will this modernization truly solve the problems of society, or will it create new hindrances for some?
On a daily basis, most Filipinos have to commute—whether for work, school, or other important destinations. One of the main modes of transportation in the Philippines is the jeepney.
The jeepney became the most popular mode of transportation among Filipinos because of its passenger-friendly fare. However, this affordability has also become one of the main reasons why jeepney drivers face numerous challenges.
One of them is Mr. Sean R. Hernandez, who travels the route from Dinalupihan to Orani and within the city of Orani. Mr. Sean is one of many Filipino jeepney drivers experiencing daily struggles behind the wheel.
Every day, Mr. Sean wakes up early to work as a driver. Oftentimes, he gets up as early as 3:00 a.m. to prepare for work and returns home at around 9:00 p.m. Mr. Sean shared that being a jeepney driver is not just a simple workload; rather, it is a service to the Filipino people. For him, driving a jeepney is not merely a job but a form of public service. Along with this service come constant challenges.
“Hindi lahat ng gumigising sa umaga ay nasa mabuting kalagayan. Tulad nating lahat, may stress sa trabaho, sa pinansyal, at sa pag-aaral. Lahat ng iyan, samu’t saring ugali ng pasahero at commuter ang haharapin namin,” he said.
This emphasizes how jeepney drivers must endure chaotic days on a daily basis. According to Musa (2023), over 8.96 million people ride jeepneys daily in the Philippines. This supports the claim that jeepney drivers encounter different individuals every day and must endure various behaviors and treatments from their passengers.
On the road, respect is unevenly distributed. Those behind the steering wheels of private cars often look down on those who serve the public. While one car carries comfort, one jeepney carries the city. Despite these challenges, jeepney drivers also face unseen struggles caused by government policies. Mr. Sean emphasized that modernization would significantly affect their lives as jeepney drivers. He stated that individual operators cannot afford the modernization program that the government aims to implement nationwide. They cannot cope with modernization if the government does not provide subsidies or sufficient assistance.
Oil price hikes, low minimum fares, and daily hardships—these are only some of the problems jeepney drivers face every day. Modernization is not the sole solution; rather, the government must recognize and listen to the voices of those most affected.
Behind the wheel, Mr. Sean does not raise his voice in anger. He does not curse the government nor reject the laws that govern the road. Like many jeepney drivers, he obeys the rules, pays his taxes, and keeps his vehicle registered—not because it is easy, but because it is necessary to survive each day. Yet despite this compliance, he feels forgotten by those in power. Fuel prices continue to rise, spare parts grow more expensive, and what he brings home is often just enough—or sometimes not enough—to get by. Modernization threatens to remove him from the road, but no clear alternative is offered in return. If the jeepney is to disappear, he asks only for dignity: a livelihood that can replace what will be taken away. Until then, he continues to drive—not in protest, but in quiet endurance—carrying workers home, students to school, and families back to each other, proving that behind every jeepney is not just a vehicle, but a man sustaining the nation one trip at a time.
