Up to 10k drivers, operators joining ‘unity walk’

An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 drivers and operators of transport cooperatives are expected to take part in today’s (Monday) “unity walk” to express their opposition to the Senate resolution recommending the suspension of the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP).

News correspondent Christian Maño reported on Super Radyo DzBB that the pro- PUVMP groups planned to gather at the Mabuhay Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City at 6 a.m. and march to Malacañang Palace.

According to Ed Comia, convenor of the Kooperatiba at Korporasyon ng Alyansang Pilipino para sa Modernisasyon (AKKAP MO), simultaneous strikes will also be held in other parts of the country such as Cagayan de Oro and Cebu.

In an interview on DzBB Melencio Vargas, president of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), said the pro-PUVMP groups were not given the chance to speak during the Senate hearing.

“We are saddened by what the Senate had done. It seems they only heard what the 20 percent [of the transport sector] had to say. We, the 80 percent [who took part in the consolidation] were not heard,” Vargas said in Filipino.

“This is really hurtful… because we complied [with the PUVMP requirements]. If they wanted to stop this, they should have done it years ago,” he added.

Earlier, 22 of 23 senators signed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension of the PUVMP.

In Senate Resolution 1096, the senators “express(ed) the sense of the Senate to … suspend the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program, formerly known as the PUV modernization program, pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected drivers, groups, unions and transport cooperatives with the end in view of ensuring a more efficient and inclusive implementation of the PTMP.”

Meanwhile, Jeph Gochengco, national president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), said the “Magnificent 7” will not join Monday’s protest action as they believe a transport strike is not the solution to address the issues concerning the PUVMP.