PISTON to stage another strike vs jeepney phase out
PISTON said the government’s mandatory consolidation scheme only leads to the “corporate capture” of public transport in the Philippines as only corporations and rich cooperatives can afford the imposed standards.
Tuloy ang welga: PISTON rejects ‘further study’ of jeepney phase-out scheme
PISTON president Mody Floranda said Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III only told them the agency will further “study” their demand to withdraw their December 31 deadline against independently-operated traditional jeepneys.
Strike immobilizes jeepney routes in Metro Manila, regional centers nationwide
Despite threats of punishment by the government, the nationwide protest action against the phaseout of the iconic jeepney failed to deter drivers and small operators who also trooped to Mendiola in Manila to protest the government’s controversial modernization program of public utility vehicles.
PISTON announces support of transport strike next week
PISTON explained that mandating operators to consolidate their individual franchises under a cooperative or corporation is “wrong, deceitful, and coercive” as it deprives operators of their rights and privileges as individual franchise holders.
Court acquits PISTON leader vs LTFRB charge
“This should be considered a victory for the right of PUV drivers, small operators and the people to peaceably and militantly assemble to air their legitimate grievances and aspirations,” San Mateo said.
Transport budget for infra but none for affected jeepney drivers
The COVID pandemic has led to massive income losses for Filipinos. The Duterte administration suspended mass transport, including jeepneys, when the enhanced community quarantines (ECQ) in Luzon and other parts of the country were declared in March. Quarantine measures have eased in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas and public transport has resumed in phases.
The anomaly of transport modernization (Part II)
In many instances, the solution to the complex transport problems of Metro Manila lies in the physics of the problem, in the same way that dealing with COVID-19 requires medical science. But the Duterte administration has simply picked up its pre-COVID proposal of “jeepney modernization” and used the pandemic to justify finally pushing for it, amid protestations by jeepney drivers and the adverse impact on millions of commuters.
Ang sinapit ng mga drayber
“Dati, kami ang kinakawayan. Ngayon, kami ang kumakaway [para mamalimos}.”–Joel Caligayan, tsuper ng jeep biyaheng Rosario-Cubao
The anomaly of transport modernization (Part I)
For the majority of poor commuters, what is more painful to see now is how the Duterte government, not backed by science, is on the verge of banning the traditional jeepney from the road forever and insisting that modernization is the cure.
Govt jeepney ban has already cost drivers Php78,000
Jeepney drivers, to date, have lost some 78 working days over the past 3 months or 13 weeks of suspended mass transport. This translates to a total net income loss of Php78,000 or Php26,000 per month of lockdown, said IBON. Out of work jeepney drivers lose Income with each passing day of transport suspension.