Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 11) — The group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) will hold another nationwide transport strike on Dec. 14 and 15. This is to continue protesting the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, particularly the franchise consolidation deadline.
The group’s previous transport strike was held on Nov. 20 to 22 which prompted schools in the Metro to shift to online classes.
The Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said the modernization program does not intend to phase out traditional jeepneys as long as they are roadworthy.
READ: TIMELINE: The government’s PUV phaseout program
Data from the LTFRB showed that 56% or 96,000 of the 170,000 jeepneys across the country have already consolidated. In Metro Manila, 25% of the 44,000 jeepney units were already consolidated.
CNN Philippines correspondent Paige Javier contributed to this report.
In a press briefing on Monday, PISTON National President Mody Floranda said the transport strike may be extended, depending on what develops in the coming days.
“Hangga’t pinag-aaralan ang programa, ang inaano natin, ibasura muna yung 2017-011 at siyempre tanggalin ‘yung deadline ng December 31,” Floranda said.
[Translation: While the program remains under study, what we want is to have 2017-011 and the Dec. 31 deadline scrapped.]
He was referring to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Order No. 2017-011, or the “Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance,” which formalized the PUV modernization program.
Floranda said their concerns were not heard during their meeting with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III last month.
RELATED: LTFRB open to granting 5-year franchise for jeepneys
“Ang masakit dito, ang sagot ng mismong chairman ay ‘pag-aaralan nila ang ating demands.’ Ibig sabihin, hindi konkretong rineresolba ng DOTr at LTFRB ang fundamental na suliranin ng drayber at operator,” he added.
[Translation: What’s painful is the chairman himself telling us that ‘they are studying our demands.’ Which means the DOTr and the LTFRB are not concretely resolving the fundamental problem of drivers and operators.]
Floranda said the strike will take place in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country, adding he is confident they can paralyze public transport.
