MANILA, Philippines — Drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Metro Manila started on Monday their two-day nationwide transport strike organized by two groups to again voice their opposition to the government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operaytor Nationwide (Piston) Chairman Mody Floranda said in an interview that as early as 6 a.m., members of their group began their protest in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Floranda claimed that nearly 90 percent of Piston members, or around 70,000 jeepney drivers and operators, will join the transport strike. He said the protesters include those who have already consolidated.
On the other hand, Manibela said that around 100,000 of its members will participate in the transport strike.
The two transport groups are demanding the scrapping of the PTMP, renewal of franchises and registrations for all public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, including those who have decided not to consolidate into cooperatives, and the cancellation of forced franchise consolidation among others.
The Department of Transportation had said that more than 80 percent of PUV operators have complied with the PTMP’s requirement to consolidate into cooperatives for easier processing of bank loans to buy modern jeeps.
With such a high consolidation rate, there is no need to suspend the PUV modernization program which was launched in 2017, it said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured the commuting public that they are ready for the two-day transport strike.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd said they coordinated with government agencies and local government units.
Guadiz said the agency will deploy vehicles to provide free rides to commuters affected by the transport strike.
He said the LTFRB respects the right of drivers and operators to free expression as enshrined in the Constitution, and acknowledges the concerns of the transport sector.
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