TIGIL-PASADA | Transportation groups plan to protest at Malacañang as week-long strike looms

February 28, 2023 , 10:32 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(February 28, 2023) – Transportation groups on Tuesday said they will bring their protest to Malacañang in hopes of convincing President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to heed their demand to slow down the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said the government may have moved the modernization deadline to June 30 but the period is still insufficient for thousands of jeepney drivers and operators to comply.

“Sa Malacañang na kami pupunta. Doon kami babalagbag. Baka mas mapakinggan kami roon at pag-uwi, tigil-pasada na kami buong linggo,” said Valbuena on Ted Failon and DJ Chacha sa Radyo 5. “Sinong hindi magpupuyos sa galit kung may taning na ‘yung hanapbuhay namin?”

Earlier, they planned to protest in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Manibela, together with several other transportation groups, declared a week-long strike to oppose the jeepney phaseout and compulsory franchise consolidation.

Valbuena said jeepney drivers and operators should have the leeway to choose the cooperative they would like to join instead of being forced to take part in already existing ones. He added that the high cost of modernizing jeepneys puts a heavy toll on them since they only have meager earnings.

“Sana pag-aralan muna itong mabuti na hindi minamadali,” said Valbuena. “Gusto sana namin ‘yung isang taon na sinasabi, ‘yun ang matupad saka tayo ulit mag-usap kung ano ang mga susunod na hakbang. ‘Yun ang pinaka-realistic—bigyan ng isang taon at payagan ang mga kooperatiba na mag-apply.”

In a statement, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) said the week-long transportation strike is justified. The group also urged the government to have a “just transition program” that would rely on local manufacturers instead of forcing the purchase of imported units.

Initially, the modern vehicles are only pegged at P1.4 million but the transportation groups said the cost has since shot up to P2.4 million to P2.7 million.

“Handang protektahan ng mga tsuper at maliliit na operator ang kanilang kabuhayan dahil buhay ng pamilya nila ang nakasalalay rito lalo sa panahon ngayon ng matinding krisis sa ekonomiya,” said PISTON national president Mody Floranda.

Department of Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista already sought a dialogue with transportation groups for their concerns regarding the PUVMP to be duly considered.

Valbuena said they are open to ironing out details with transportation authorities. However, he urged them to scrap the recently released memorandum circular reflecting the new deadline first. For now, he expressed hope that the public would understand their concerns.

“‘Di tayo tutol sa modernisasyon basta ito ay makatao—presyo’y makatuwiran na talagang dito sa atin ginawa, ‘di ito minadali, at sana pagbigyan tayo ng mas mahabang panahon. Sa maaapektuhang mananakay, sana maintindihan n’yo rin kami. May pamilya rin kaming sinusuportahan,” appealed Valbuena.

(PM)

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