The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) called on jeepney drivers and operators to continue plying their routes in defiance of the government’s deadline on franchise consolidation.
On the first day of the New Year and prohibition of operation of unconsolidated jeepneys, the transport group urged fellow transport workers to claim their right to livelihood for their families and commuters.
“Public transportation is a public service that should serve the people and not the few. Let is claim our right to the roads. Let us hold accountable the incompetent, oppressive and puppet [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr. regime accountable,” PISTON said in a New Year statement.
Several jeepneys were seen still plying their routes along Commonwealth Avenue and Pasig City poblacion in the morning of 20024’s first working day Tuesday, January 2.
Traffic had been light and passenger numbers have sparse on both locations, Kodao observed.
PISTON warned that a public transport disaster would befall major cities once commuters start returning to their jobs or schools.
Transport authorities on the other hand sought to downplay the effects of the banning of traditional jeepneys on the roads saying they are open to extending permits as long as operators commit to surrendering their individual franchises to transport cooperatives or corporations.
PISTON said the government Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is only aimed at handing over their livelihood to local and foreign capitalists.
The group added the PUVMP will result in higher fares for commuters and lower incomes for drivers and operators who will likewise incur huge debts.
New vehicles approved under the program cost around P2.5 million. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/commonweatlh.jpg12661686Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-01-02 08:51:102024-01-02 08:51:11PISTON urges drivers to defy ban on jeepneys
Militant drivers and operators urged the Supreme Court to expedite the decision on their petition for a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the year-end jeepney franchise consolidation deadline.
In a supplemental motion, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said the suspension of the deadline shall prevent the “grave and irreparable injury” the jeepney drivers and operators, their families, the commuters and the public in general will likely suffer at the start of the new year.
“[M]illions of drivers, operators and their families, as well as commuters all over the country will experience a severe impact on their income and livelihood should the franchise of thousands of PUV operators be cancelled on January 1, 2024,” PISTON added.
The group filed the initial petition before Christmas against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) that orders the surrender of individual franchises to cooperatives and corporations by December 31.
PISTON argues the consolidation scheme only aims to take away the livelihood of jeepney owners and operators in favor of corporations and big businessmen.
“Hundreds of thousands of citizens are affected, will lose their livelihoods, will be buried in debt or will have serious problems with additional expenses,” PISTON national president Mody Floranda said.
Bayan Muna and NUPL lawyers filed last Thursday an Extremely Urgent Motion at the Supreme Court on the petition of PISTON and commuters for a restraining order against PUV consolidation and cancellation of franchise. (Bayan Muna photo)
PISTON likewise warned that so-called modern jeepneys will increase basic fares to around P40-P50 once the PUVMP goes into full effect.
“No matter how you look at it, this bogus modernization brings nothing good to the people,” Floranda said.
In a statement Thursday, December 28, however, the Supreme Court declined to immediately issue a decision to PISTON’s original petition and instead ordered the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) to reply within 10 days.
DoTr secretary Jaime Bautista meanwhile claimed that “majority” of jeepney operators support the program with 70% already participating in the process.
The December 31 franchise consolidation deadline stays, Bautista declared.
PISTON however belied Bautista’s claims, citing an Inclusive Cities Advocacy Network study saying 73% of Metro Manila’s traditional jeepneys will be disqualified from modernization.
Floranda also criticized LTFRB’s announcement it will give out temporary permits to jeepney operators on some routes after January 1 if they commit to have their franchise consolidated.
“That proposal is just a stopgap measure. Eventually, those who bought temporary permits will also be affected by the phase out. This proves that the whole program is a failure,” Floranda said.
PISTON and fellow transport organization Manibela are set to stage a rally at Malacanang today, Friday, following a solidarity lunch at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.
(PISTON infographic)
The groups said the impending transport crisis is ultimately President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fault for his refusal to suspend the PUVMP.
PISTON also announced the success of Thursday’s transport strike in Davao City that paralyzed some routes in Mindanao’s main metropolis. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jeepney-strike.jpg8101080Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2023-12-29 09:47:532023-12-29 09:51:22PISTON to SC: Expedite petition to suspend jeepney consolidation deadline
“Ang nagmamadaling patayin ang jeepney ay ‘di kahit kailan nakasakay ng jeep. Keber niya sa mga taong ito ang kabuhayan?”— Bibeth Orteza (actor, writer, artist)
Image by Jo Maois Mamangun
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bibeth.jpg9451680Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2023-12-16 07:51:392023-12-16 07:51:39Ang mga nagmamadaling patayin ang dyip
PISTON says Marcos misleads public with 70% consolidation claim
Striking jeepney drivers and small operators declared a 90% paralysis of major routes in the National Capital Region on the first day of their to-day protest action against the abolition of their livelihood.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) also said 85% of several regions outside of the capital have also been paralyzed, forcing Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III to hold a dialogue with their leaders.
“We found out [from Guadiz] it is Bongbong Marcos who is pushing for consolidation of jeepney franchises on December 31. Now we know who to blame,” PISTON said in a statement.
The group also said President Marcos blatantly misled the public when he said that 70% of all jeepney franchises have already been consolidated under the government’s Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Let their data speak for itself. There are 64,639 unconsolidated units nationwide, 30,862 of which are PUJs (public utility jeepneys) and 4,852 UV (utility vehicle) Express units in NCR,” PISTON said.
“This amounts to an estimated 60,000 PUJ drivers and 9,000 UV Express drivers; 25,000 PUJ operators; and 4,000 UV Express operators in NCR alone,” the group added.
Commuters along Commonwealth Avenue waiting for rides. (PISTON photo)
PISTON said Marcos’ decision to ban jeepneys and other forms of public transportation such as UV Express vans would result in a transport crisis starting January 1, 2024.
Major areas of Metro Manila saw a marked decrease in the number of plying public utility vehicles on the road on Thursday.
PISTON said their strike affected routes from Commonwealth in Quezon City in the north, Pasig in the east, Manila in the west, to Alabang in Muntinlupa in the south of the metropolis.
Longer commuter queue at the Pasig Central Market area. (PISTON photo)
Local government units and the Metro Manila Development Authority fielded hundred of buses throughout the metropolis, even as they sought to downplay the effect of the strike.
Meanwhile, various groups expressed solidarity with the strikers such as the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines, Rural Women’s Advocates, and even the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP).
“ICHRP supports the call of drivers and operators to junk the PUVMP, and instead push for a genuinely pro-people modernization program, by supporting the development of the local jeepney manufacturing industry,” ICHRP chairperson Peter Murphy in a statement said.
Various groups also joined PISTON members in their overnight vigil in front of the LTFRB headquarters in Quezon City Thursday night. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/piston-1.jpg720960Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2023-12-15 07:49:102023-12-15 07:49:11Jeepney strike paralyzes major Metro routes
“I declare my solidarity with the jeepney drivers. Ownership of their vehicles gives them dignity and selfworth. I also think that the jeepney is a part of our culture. So let us oppose its abolition!”—Mo. Mary John Mananzan, OSB (nun, educator, activist)
The country’s largest federation of drivers and operators announced another transport strike against the planned phase out of traditional jeepneys.
The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said it will stage another transport strike on December 14 and 15 against the December 31 Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) deadline for franchise consolidation.
The new strike follows the three-day strike the group staged starting November 20 that paralyzed major routes in Metro Manila and key regions throughout the country.
PISTON president Mody Florande said the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) have yet to deliver on their earlier promise to “carefully study” their demand for the scrapping of the forced consolidation of jeepney franchises.
A key component of the 10-point Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Plan (PUVMP), franchise consolidation mandates all operators to surrender their individual franchises to a cooperative or corporation serving a specific route.
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.
The scheme the LTFRB dubbed “One route, one franchise, one operator” is expected to affect 80% of all operators nationwide while tens of thousands of drivers may be driven out of their livelihood on the very last day of the year, the transport group said.
“Is this DoTr and LTFRB’s Christmast gift to us, the loss of livelihood of thousands of driver and operators” Floranda asked in a press conference last Monday, December 3, announcing their strike.
“They should be ashamed. They will be forcing many families into hunger once the new year starts,” he said.
PISTON infographic
PISTON said that only about 26% of PUV operators in the National Capital Region have agreed to surrender their franchise for consolidation since the PUVMP was implemented in 2018, indicating its unpopularity.
If the December 31 deadline pushes through, PISTON said more than 33 thousand jeepneys would already be disallowed to ply their routes starting January 1, 2024.
The group added that 64 thousand drivers and 25 thousand operators would be jobless.
PISTON infographic
“If the deadline is imposed, it clearly would bring about a transport crisis in the country,” PISTON warned.
“What is stopping (LTFRB chairperson Teofilo) Guadiz (from heeding calls to scrap the program}? He only has to issue one memorandum circular and the deadline would be scrapped,” Florande asked.
At the press conference, the transport leader asked for understanding from commuters as their strike only aims to ensure they would have still jeepneys to ride in on January 1. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/piston.jpg11732048Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2023-12-12 10:40:282023-12-12 10:40:29PISTON to stage another strike vs jeepney phase out
Striking public transport drivers and operators rejected government promises to further study their demands to stop the phase-out of traditional jeepneys and announced the continuation of their scheduled three-day strike.
In a statement, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) said government representatives offered only promises that do not address their fears of losing their livelihood.
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.
Floranda added that Guadiz had the same response to their additional demand of scrapping the franchise consolidation schemes under public transport cooperatives as well as the replacement of the iconic Filipino jeepneys.
“Puro paasa. Hindi na mahinitay ng mga kumakalam na sikmura ng mga tsuper at operator ang ‘pag-aaral’ ng LTFRB,” Floranda said. (They just want to bring our hopes up again. But the empty stomachs of drivers and operators could no longer wait for their so-called studies.)
In a statement, Department of Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista said the December 31 deadline is not for the replacement of traditional jeepneys but on the consolidation of franchises.
Denying there is a government phase-out program on the jeepneys, Bautista added that roadworthy jeepneys may continue to operate next year.
Bautista also said that there are cheaper vehicles that operators may buy through loans from government banks .
Floranda however said the government attempts to pacify striking jeepney drivers do not address their demands but an effort to make it appear they are concerned about the public welfare.
PISTON has accused the franchise consolidation program as a scheme to take away jeepney franchises from small and independent operators and concentrate them under transport cooperatives controlled by businesspersons.
Members of transport group Manibela joined in Monday’s transport strike in Metro Manila and key regions around the country. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PISTON.jpg11532048Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2023-11-21 10:21:342023-11-21 10:53:48Tuloy ang welga: PISTON rejects ‘further study’ of jeepney phase-out scheme
Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) condemned the big-time oil price hike that took effect today, August 8, and demanded that the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government repeal the Oil Deregulation Law and suspend the expanded value added and excise tax on petroleum products.
According to the group, the increases on fuel prices are triggered by the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act (Republic Act 8479) that had been wreaking havoc on the livelihood of public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers and small operators since the start of its implementation in 1998.
For the fifth consecutive week since last month, oil companies implemented price increases, this time to an average of P4.10 increase per liter of diesel and P0.50 per liter of gasoline.
Today’s oil price increase had been the steepest since July 11.
PISTON national president Mody Floranda said, “Oil price increases in the country are expected by the Department of Energy to continue in the succeeding weeks, and the inaction of the Marcos administration (on petitions to repeal the law) is a direct attack on the livelihood of the drivers and the people.”
In the last four weekly oil price hikes alone, PISTON said jeepney drivers lost an average of P90.00 per day or a total of P2,250.00 a month.
The group pointed out that this development came after Marcos Jr. said in his State of the Nation Address less than three weeks back that Filipinos are benefitting from so-called reduction in prices of commodities.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) clarified that the latest spate of price hikes could not be blamed on oil exporting countries alone.
Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said Saudi Arabia’s plan to cut down oil production by one million barrels a day has yet to take effect by September.
“There’s no actual cut yet, no reduction in production yet. [There is] only news that they will reduce production and yet the prices already increased,” Palatino complained.
“The one that really benefits from the oil price hikes is the government because of its excise tax and VAT (value-added tax) on oil products. It is fine if the government really uses it for the people. But based on their budget (2024) proposal, where will it go? To confidential funds, foreign trips, Maharlika!” Palatino added.
KADAMAY members in Quezon City hold a protest action against the recent spate of oil price hikes. (Kadamay Facebook Page photo)
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) earlier said the government is set to release P2.95 billion worth of fuel subsidies for PUV operators and drivers “to cushion the impact of the increase in fuel prices”.
The financial assistance package will also cover tricycle drivers and delivery riders, the agency said last Sunday.
“We will make sure that the assistance to our PUV drivers will be distributed immediately so they can use it, pay for their fuel and improve their daily income,” transportation secretary Jaime Bautista said.
PUV drivers will receive a one-time cash grant from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board while the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology will hand out the financial assistance to tricycle drivers and delivery services riders, respectively.
The financial aid will be given through the beneficiaries’ cash cards, the government announced.
Yesterday, Monday, members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) held a protest event at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Agham Road in Quezon City against the latest series of oil price hikes.
KADAMAY said they also demand the abolition of the excise tax on oil prices and the junking of the oil deregulation law.
The group said that in addition to the fact that most PUV drivers are residents of urban poor communities, the series of oil price hikes also drive the prices of basic commodities to go higher and cause further hardships to the people. #
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Public utility drivers suspended their transport strike on the third day following a dialogue with Malacanang officials Tuesday night.
In a press conference at the University of the Philippines in Diliman Wednesday morning, the No to PUV (public utility vehicles) Phaseout Coalition said palace officials promised to review the government’s controversial modernization program and come up with a decision before December 31.
The coalition said officials of the Office of the Executive Secretary promised that all stakeholders, such as drivers, operators and commuters, would be involved in the review of the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) Order 2017-011, or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) on its PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The dialogue was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the group added.
Transport groups Manibela and the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) launched the transport strike last Monday in opposition to the new deadline of June 31 when jeepneys will no longer be allowed to ply their routes.
The program is feared to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of drivers and small operators of the country’s iconic jeepneys and utility vehicles.
The government issued threats of punishment and later extended the June 31 deadline to the end of the year to discourage drivers to join the strike.
Due mainly to PISTON’s organizational strength, the two-day strike immobilized 80 percent of Metro Manila, including 100 percent of the metropolis’ national roads as well as many of the regional centers nationwide.
Several members of non-participating transport organizations also joined the strike.
“While we have yet to achieve our main objective of having the OFG junked, Malacanang’s promise to review the jeepney phaseout program is an initial victory. We also forced the Palace to finally reply to our demands,” the coalition said in a statement.
The coalition also called on Marcos Jr. to order the release of three PISTON members arrested by the Philippine National Police in Alabang, Muntinlupa on Tuesday for participating in the strike. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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