UNMET DEMANDS | Transportation strike pushes through on day of Marcos’ second SONA

July 24, 2023 , 10:39 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(July 24, 2023) – A transportation group on Monday kicked off its three-day strike to reiterate its demands to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) concerning the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena stressed that they pushed through with the strike because of the government’s inability to address their concerns.

“Wala pa rin tayong nakukuhang ibang kasagutan,” said Valbuena on One Balita Weekend. “Noong nakaraang linggo, nag-imbita sa atin ang DOTr (Department of Transportation) ng dayalogo kaya lang ‘di kami nagtugma ng oras.”

Last Saturday, the Malacañang announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools in Metro Manila today due to the transportation strike and the bad weather.

Valbuena took the development positively because he said the government was able to notice them. He urged President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to assure the transportation sector that there will be no phaseout and they can continue their operations. Today is also Marcos’ second State of the Nation Address.

“Gusto natin marinig sa kanya nang direkta na walang phaseout at ‘yung ating mga prangkisa ay magpatuloy pa at ibalik sa validity na five years at ‘yung mga existing na ruta huwag sanang matapakan o masagasaan ng bagong korporasyon,” said Valbuena.

Consolidation is a major aspect of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). It directs drivers and operators to form or join cooperatives or corporations that will facilitate the transition to modern units and manage the routes they were allowed to ply. As of June 30, the LTFRB said at least 60% of jeepneys have already consolidated their units.

But Valbuena recently blasted the alleged deprivation of routes for some units under the rationalization plan of the government. However, the DOTr challenged Manibela to show evidence to prove this.

“Their group is free to stage any form of protest. However, the DOTr will not be held hostage. The whole country will not be blackmailed every time this group does not get what it wants,” said the DOTr last week.

Launched in 2017, the PUVMP seeks to make the transportation system more friendly to the environment but progressive groups lamented the costly price of modern jeepneys at more than P2 million, burdening drivers and operators.

Marcos earlier agreed to revisit the PUVMP because of the concerns raised by sectoral groups like Manibela in their transportation strike last March. He also assured that no one will lose jobs due to modernization.

The PUVMP is just among the myriad of issues hounding the country’s transportation system through the years. The government has also been called out repeatedly to fix the heavy congestion, faulty train system, and the lack of priority for commuters, among others.

“Hindi naman natin hangad na i-paralyze talaga totally ang transportasyon kundi maiparamdam natin ang ating mga hinaing sa pamamagitan ng hindi paglabas ng ating mga jeepney na mabawasan ‘yung babiyahe bukas or kung ‘di man, mahigit kalahati ang hindi babiyahe,” said Valbuena.

(PM)

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