Jan Atienza

State of transport address

On Mendiola Street in busy Manila, a week prior to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's second State of the Nation Address, transport workers gathered with placards, banners and raised fists to ensure their collective voices were heard during their very own “State of the Transport Address”.

Jeepney drivers and small operators, led by PISTON, organised a protest on 17 July 2023, to demand that the Marcos Jr administration take notice of the pressing issue affecting their livelihood – the planned jeepney phaseout by the government. The national government had set the deadline for the phaseout on 31 December 2023, potentially putting thousands of jeepney drivers and small operators at risk of losing their source of income.

This photo essay captures one of the many protest actions of jeepney drivers and small operators in the Philippines as they converge just a few metres away from the Presidential Palace in Mendiola, Manila, a symbolic space that has been synonymous with the people's demand for change. These images attempt to unveil one of the many forms of collective action and to demonstrate how workers’ unified voices echo through placards and chants, by demanding substantial shifts in policies affecting their livelihood and the greater society.

These photos delve into the significance of solidarity and the pivotal role it plays in igniting the flames of progress and ensuring that the call for change can never be ignored.

Storytelling
Jeepney drivers march in the streets of Manila towards historic Mendiola Street, just outside the gates of the Philippine Presidential Palace. The handwritten placard in front reads: “Suspend and revise the planned re-routing!”
PISTON, one of the largest national federations of informal small-capacity public transport workers in the Philippines, lead the march. “Expose the inaction and incompetence of Marcos Jr! No to PUV [Public Utility Vehicle] Phaseout! Defend our franchises
The crowd converges in Mendiola Street as armed and full-battle geared policemen guard the entrance to the Presidential Palace.
Ruben Baylon, PISTON National Deputy Secretary-General addresses the crowd, “We gather here in Mendiola to speak on the real state of the nation, the real state of public transport workers being denied of our livelihood + a better future for our families
A banner reads, “Stop the massacre of our franchises and livelihoods! No to PUV [Public Utility Vehicle] Phaseout!”
Mimi Doringo, an urban poor leader, joins in solidarity with public transport workers. She holds a sign that reads, “Join the People’s SONA [State of the Nation] protest on July 24!”.
Amidst the sweltering heat of the sun, Zaldy Canabal, a jeepney driver and operator, joins the protest. “Sacrificing half a day’s income to protest is worth it. We are in the streets because we are fighting for our rights and for our family’s future.”
Mody Floranda, PISTON National President, addresses the crowd, “We want to hear real plans from the government, not just embellishments and gimmicks!”
Elmer Cordero at 75 is one of the oldest members of PISTON. Despite being unjustly arrested + detained in 2020, for protesting to demand govt aid at the height of the pandemic. “Nothing will happen for us poor people if we don't act together".