Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

The jeepney is the most common means of transportation in the Philippines yet jeepney drivers have one of the most underpaid jobs in the country (Esconde 2017). Despite their efforts in making money, it is not enough for their family because of the continuing price increase of crude oil and other government policies that negatively affect them, such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Because of this, some jeepney drivers joined a transport strike to voice their concerns to the government; however, not all jeepney drivers join mass demonstrations because they have other needs more important than their ideology. Our study focuses on how the jeepney drivers in Baguio specifically those from General Luna-Maria Basa Operators and Drivers Association (GMODA) create the cultures of resistance and acquiescence to respond to their situations and how it is manifested among them. We interviewed twenty (20) jeepney drivers from GMODA and analyzed their narratives using Social Exchange Theory, the concept of the free-riders, and the concept of hegemony, power, and resistance from the Critical Theory. We found out that the culture of resistance is apparent inside the GMODA as displayed through the jeepney drivers’ persistent participation in rallies. On the other hand, the culture of acquiescence is displayed through not joining rallies but it does not equate to apathy because some consider their family, and even the government as a greater cause and responsibility.