Voices from the Terminal: A Phenomenological Study of Jeepney Dispatchers’ Roles and Realities

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Living Culture and Contemporary Societies (LCS)

School Name

Berkeley School, Inc.

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Astudillo, Alfonso III, B.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

Online - https://zoom.us/j/94569671692?pwd=Fj3c3ELOebE6QbqbJOOH9wMuildoEc.1 Meeting ID: 945 6967 1692 | Passcode: research

Abstract/Executive Summary

The essential labor of jeepney dispatchers remained largely overlooked, hidden in plain sight amid the bustling streets they regulated. This study adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of dispatchers in Baguio City, Philippines, illuminating their responsibilities, vulnerabilities, and survival strategies within the informal sector. By employing a double hermeneutic approach—where researchers made sense of the participants making sense of their own lives—the inquiry moved beyond surface-level observations to capture the ontological grounding of these workers. Three research questions guided the study: (1) What were their daily responsibilities and challenges in managing public utility operations? (2) How did they perceive their role in maintaining order and efficiency? and (3) What coping mechanisms did they employ to navigate work pressures? Utilizing an idiographic qualitative design, the study gathered data through in-depth, semi-structured interviews to explore the dispatchers' unique Lifeworlds. Findings revealed that participants derived profound meaning-making and fulfillment from their work—contrasting common negative perceptions—yet navigated a state of "thrownness" characterized by financial instability, health risks, and verbal abuse. They addressed institutional gaps through self-created informal structures, asserting their agency within the transport ecosystem. To manage these pressures, dispatchers relied on Adaptive Resilience rooted in patience and self-reliance, fueled by aspirations for family security. While dispatchers effectively bridged formal transport gaps via informal means, the study highlighted an urgent need to formally recognize their Being-in-the-world and mitigate their socio-economic vulnerabilities to ensure public transportation efficiency

Keywords

informal labor sector; jeepney dispatchers; terminal systems; lived experiences; Baguio City

Statement of Originality

yes

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Jun 25th, 10:30 AM Jun 25th, 12:00 PM

Voices from the Terminal: A Phenomenological Study of Jeepney Dispatchers’ Roles and Realities

The essential labor of jeepney dispatchers remained largely overlooked, hidden in plain sight amid the bustling streets they regulated. This study adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of dispatchers in Baguio City, Philippines, illuminating their responsibilities, vulnerabilities, and survival strategies within the informal sector. By employing a double hermeneutic approach—where researchers made sense of the participants making sense of their own lives—the inquiry moved beyond surface-level observations to capture the ontological grounding of these workers. Three research questions guided the study: (1) What were their daily responsibilities and challenges in managing public utility operations? (2) How did they perceive their role in maintaining order and efficiency? and (3) What coping mechanisms did they employ to navigate work pressures? Utilizing an idiographic qualitative design, the study gathered data through in-depth, semi-structured interviews to explore the dispatchers' unique Lifeworlds. Findings revealed that participants derived profound meaning-making and fulfillment from their work—contrasting common negative perceptions—yet navigated a state of "thrownness" characterized by financial instability, health risks, and verbal abuse. They addressed institutional gaps through self-created informal structures, asserting their agency within the transport ecosystem. To manage these pressures, dispatchers relied on Adaptive Resilience rooted in patience and self-reliance, fueled by aspirations for family security. While dispatchers effectively bridged formal transport gaps via informal means, the study highlighted an urgent need to formally recognize their Being-in-the-world and mitigate their socio-economic vulnerabilities to ensure public transportation efficiency

https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2026/BoA_LCS/6