Jeepney drivers and operators belonging to the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahang Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and the Federation of Drivers, Commuters, and United Transportation Terminals (MANIBELA) again protested at the central office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Quezon City last Thursday, May 16, against the government’s “ant-people” public transport modernization program.
Reiterating they are not against the so-called modernization of public utility vehicles, the protesters said the program’s franchise consolidation aspect however is a denial of their right to ownership and livelihood.
The scheme also means corporatization and privatization of the public transport sector that only favor foreign entities and local big businesses, they said.
Photo by N. Bacarra/Kodao
The government announced it will start issuing penalties against drivers and impounding their vehicles this week following the latest deadline for franchise consolidation last April 30.
A ₱50,000 fine will be charged for the impounded vehicle, the government threatened.
PISTON said the directive is a “crackdown” because “it is an obvious move for a job massacre and a direct attack on the commuters’ right for an affordable public transport.”
The group pointed out that the government is not yet ready for the program’s full implementation as it has yet to present plans on how to support drivers and operators through subsidy and route rationalization.
PISTON added that the government has no contingency plans for commuters to be affected by the transport crisis once traditional jeepneys are no longer allowed to ply their routes.
The protesters also said that some drivers and operators who entered had their franchises consolidated also joined Thursday’s protest, revealing they were forced to submit to the merger due to threat and intimidation.
Photo by N. Bacarra/Kodao
Forced modernization
The government reported that 78.33% have consolidated nationwide as of April 23 and a 65% rate of consolidation is enough for the PUVMP to pursue.
The protesters however said government’s claim of high percentage of consolidation cannot be considered factual.
“The government has no concrete plan, especially how the route rationalization will be implemented. Local government units are assigned to work on this. There’s no clear plan on the reintegration of the displaced drivers to the economy as a whole. A spike on unemployment is inevitable,” PISTON said.
The government is hell-bent on pursuing this modernization program while abandoning and sacrificing the drivers, operators and commuters in favor of foreign and big businesses,” the group added.
Meanwhile, some jeepney drivers from Pedro Gil in Manila with unconsolidated franchises defiantly plied their routes took, saying it remains to be their livelihood.
There were no reports of drivers apprehended and jeepneys impounded Thursday. #
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_20240516_112837_465-scaled.jpg12262560Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-05-17 09:06:042024-05-17 09:06:05Drivers remain defiant vs. ‘forced consolidation’ of jeepney franchises
Minsan na akong bumaba sa dyip nang hindi nagbabayad ng pamasahe, dahil sa halip na ilaan sa bayad ang barya mas minabuti ko noon na ibili ito ng sigarilyo. Pero nakonsensya rin ako. Umu-ukilkil sa isip ko noon ang kanta ng grupong Sinaglahi na pinamagatang “Piso” na nagsasabi ng ganito:
“May problema na naman ngayon, pare/Tataas na naman ang pamasahe/Ingat ka lang sa pagsakay/Baka may kakilalang malibre/Ang piso mo kapag ika’y kinulang/Kung minsan ay tumatalon na lang/Hoy, pare ko, huwag mong gawin‘yan/Ang tsuper ay kawawa naman”
Kaya sa sumunod na nawalan ako ng pamasahe, nilakad ko na lang mula Orthopedic Hospital sa may Banaue, Quezon City papuntang Muñoz St. sa San Andress Bukid, Maynila.
Bitbit ko ito hanggang ngayong may laban ang mga tsuper kontra sa pakanang “modernisasyon” ng mga dyip.
Pakana, di programa
Hindi modernisasyon ang tunay ng layon ng Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Kung ang mga pampasaherong dyip ay papalitan ng mga “modernong dyip” na aangkatin pangunahin sa China, mas palalakasin lamang nito ang organisadong sindikato ng mga mamumuhunang importer na siyang mas pinapaboran ng gobyerno.
Dagdag na suson ito sa pasanin ng mga tsuper na karaniwang apektado ng di makontrol na gastusin sa krudo o gasolina, maliban pa sa pang-araw-araw ng pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya. Ang malala pa, papatayin ng pamahalaan ang kabuhayan nila.
Dagok din ito sa mga komyuter na tatamaan ng paglala ng krisis sa transportasyon na ibubunga ng pagkawala ng mga tradisyunal na dyip sa kalsada.
Ngayon pa lamang, may petisyon na sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) na gawing ₱15.00 ang minimum na pasahe sa dyip mula sa kasalukuyang ₱13.00. Mula ito sa ₱8.00 minimum bago ilunsad ang PUVMP noong 2017. Mababawasan din ang opsyon ng masang komyuter ng pagpipiliang abot-akayang pampublikong transportasyon.
Sinamantala ng gobyerno ang panahon ng pandemya para paralisahin ang mga ruta ng dyip sa buong bansa at tuluyang tanggalin ang ibang ruta para bigyang katwiran ang paglalako ng programa. Sa Metro Manila, 215 sa kabuuang 900 ruta ang nawala na apektado ang halos 24,000 na dyip ang di na nakabyahe pa nang matapos ang mga lockdown noong pandemya.
Sa karanasan ng Sarao Motors noong dekada sistenta at otsenta, 50 hanggang 60 dyip ang nagagawa nito sa loob ng isang buwan. Bumagsak ito sa isang dyip na lamang ang nayayari sa loob ng apat hanggang anim na buwan dahil na rin sa proyektong PUVMP. Masyadong mahal ang mga “modernong dyip” na karaniwang nariremata lamang dahil di makabayad sa utang ang mga may-ari nito. Aabot ng halos ₱2.8 milyon ang halaga ng modernong dyip kumpara sa tradisyunal na dyip na umaabot lamang ng hanggang ₱800,000.00.
Bakit tinututulan?
Sa pinakasimpleng dahilan, nilalabanan ng mga tsuper ang PUVMP dahil hindi nila kakayanin ang napakalaking halaga ng bawat diumanong modernong dyip. Uutangin nila ang ilang milyon sa bangko na may 6% interes na dapat mabayaran sa loob ng pitong taon at halos 6% din lamang ang ambag ng gobyerno bilang subsidyo.
Sa ilalim ng programang ito, batay sa kwentadang iniharap sa konggreso, kakailanganin ng mga tsuper/opereytor na kumita ng ₱6,000.00 – ₱7,000.00 kada araw para siguradong mababayaran ang bagong dyip at sapat na maitaguyod ang pangangailangan ng pamilya. Noong 2023, ang kabuuang abereyds na kita lamang ng mga tsuper sa isang araw ay ₱2,500.00 – ₱3,000.00. Babawasin pa rito ang gastos sa krudo, gastos sa pagmantine, atbp. Sa isang tingin pa lamang sa mga numero ng ito, pangita na papagurin ng husto ang mga tsuper sa pamamasada.
Inoobligang pumasok ang mga tsuper/operyetor sa konsolidasyon ng prangkisa na mahigpit nilang tinututulan dahil hindi na nila hawak ang pagmamay-ari ng sasakyan. Sa iskema ng PUVMP, ang mga nagkonsolida ng prankisa ay ipapasok sa isang kooperatiba o korporasyon at ang mga tsuper ay tatanggap ng sahod bilang manggagawa.
Hindi tutol ang mga progresibong tsuper/opereytor sa modernisasyon. Ang tinututulan nila ay ang pagsamsam sa indibidwal na prangkisa.
Ang kaibuturan ng programang ito, ang gobyerno ang ahente ng mga korporasyon na walang hahangarin kundi ang pumiga ng tubo mula sa mga manggagawa nito.
Pabalat-bunga ang malasakit ng programa para sa kapaligiran dahil umaangkop umano ito sa panawagan sa buong mundo ng pagbabawas ng carbon emission dahil ang makina nito ay ‘di na kailangan ang krudo o gasolina dahil patatakbuhin ito ng elektrisidad o kaya’y umaayon ito sa Euro IV emission standard na itinakda ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources para sa internal combustion na makina.
Ang mga tradisyunal na dyip ang pinagdiskitahan samantalang mas marami ang kotse at pribadong sasakyan na gumagamit ng kalsada. Dalawang porsyento lamang ng kabuuang rehistradong mga sasakyan ang mga dyip at 15% lamang ang ambag ng dyip at iba pang pampublikong transportasyon sa kabuuang carbon emission sa buong bansa, ayon sa mga pananaliksik.
Sa ganitong bilang, hindi makatarungang isangkalan ng gobyerno sa mga dyip kung bakit unang-una ang Metro Manila sa 387 syudad sa buong mundo noong isang taon na may pinakamasahol na problema sa trapik.
Umaabot ng ₱4.9 bilyong kita kada araw ang nawawala sa bansa sanhi ng trapik. Ang dinaranas na trapik laluna sa mga expressway ay hindi dahil sa mga dyip o sa pangkalatan ng mga pampublikong sasakyan, kundi bahagi ito ng pangkabuuang krisis sa sistema ng transportasyon sa bansa na dapat lutasin.
Ang mga tsuper na kasapi ng PISTON sa unang araw ng kanilang tigil pasada kahapon. (Larawan ni N. Bacarra/Kodao)
Alternatibo
Noong 2017 pa pormal na sinimulan ang PUVMP. Mula noon, nilalabanan ito ng mga progresibong tsuper at opereytor kaalinsabay ng paghahapag ng hinaing kontra sa phaseout nito. Bukod sa kultural na aspeto ng tatak ng pagiging Pilipino sa buong mundo, maaari pang paunlarin ito sa pamamagitan ng rehabilitasyon ng mga lumang dyip na nakapakete sa programa ng pagsuporta sa lokal na produksyon tulad ng igingiit ng mga progresibong tsuper.
Para rito, suportang programa ang kakailanganin upang muling buhayin ang industriya ng paggawa ng dyip at bukod pa rito ay mapananatili ang legasiya ng disenyo ng dyip na bantog na kinagigiliwan sa buong mundo.
Bagamat wala pang kakayahan ang bansa sa pagmamanupaktura ng makina, hindi na ito malaking kabawasan kung aangkatin ito sa kabuuang balangkas na buhayin ang industriya at makalikha ng trabaho sa mga manggagawa, taliwas sa nais mangyari ng PUVMP. Oportunidad para sa mga Pilipino ang inihahapag ng mga progresibong organisasyon ng mga tsuper at opereytor para pagulungin ang industriya na siya namang litaw na inaabandona ngayon ng gobyerno sa programang ito.
Isang mahalagang usapin din na hindi kailangang abandonahin ang kultural na aspeto ng pagkakaroon ng mga tradisyunal na dyip kapalit ng pangingibaw ng kultura ng korupsyon at iba pang katiwalian sa gobyerno, ng pandarahas at pagpapakatuta ng nakaupong rehimen sa dayuhan.
Balewala rin sa gobyerno ang dislokasyon ng libu-libong pamilya ng mga tsuper/opereytor na tiyak na tatamaan sa hindi pagsama sa iskemang konsolidasyon ng prangkisa.
Regalong tubo at pasismo
Hindi mahirap na isipin na ang PUVMP ay programang sulsol ng malalaking negosyanteng Pilipino sa pakikipagsabwatan sa mga dayuhan. Kaya hindi na nakapagtataka kung bakit mayroon nang korporasyon para rito ang mga pinakamayayamang kapitalistang Pilipino tulad ng mga Manny Villar, Ramon Ang at Manny Pangilinan.
May ₱1.5 bilyon ng pamumuhunan si Pangilinan para sa dagdag na 500 modernong dyip na ruruta sa Mentro Manila, Pampanga at Nueva Ecija na target kumpletuhin hanggang 2027.
Lantad sa programang ito ang pagbibigay-prayoridad ng gobyerno sa mga pribadong korporasyon.
Sa pinakahuling datos na inilabas ng LTFRB, umaabot na sa 80% ang pumasok sa konsolidasyon sa buong bansa at 96% naman sa National Captial Region. Hindi naman umano makukuha ang 100% na pumailalim sa programa pero sapat na bilang na ito para gumulong ang “modernisasyon”.
Subalit sa pinakahuling anunsyo ng gobyerno, makabibyahe pa rin sa Mayo ang mga dyip kahit hindi nagpakonsolida. Taliwas ito sa programa at hindi ito akto ng pag-unawa sa kalagayan ng mga tsuper/opereytor kundi isang malinaw na pagpapakita ng bangkaroteng programa at kawalang-kahandaan kung paano sasaluhin ng gobyerno ang maaapektuhang komyuter ng krisis sa transportasyon na dulot ng programa sakaling paralisahin ang pagbyahe ng mga dyip.
Tulad ng karanasan ng mga manggagawa sa mga enklabong industriyal na sikil ang karapatan tulad ng pag-uunyon, mga demokratikong aksyon para sa sariling kagalingan, pagpako sa sahod at iba pa, malaki ang posibilidad na gawin ito sa korporasidong asosasyon ng mga tsuper. Dahil nasa ilalim na ng mga korporasyon, nakaamba ang higit na pagkitil sa mga karapatan ng mga tsuper sa hinaharap na maaaring humantong sa malalang paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao.
Mas mataas na pagkakaisa ang kailangang bigkisin ng mga tsuper/opereytor laban PUVMP na dapat magkahugis sa paglapad at pagdami ng hanay at sa pag-abot sa mga komyuter. Hindi handa ang gobyerno sa paglala ng krisis sa transportasyon na maaaring magganyak ng pagsanib ng mga komyuter at makisangkot sa isyung ito na lubhang kinatatakutan ng gobyerno.
Sa edad ko nga palang ito, nakiki-bilad pa ako sa init ng panahon masamahan ko lang ang mga tsuper sa kanilang laban. Ito na ang aking bayad sa minsang hindi ako nag-abot ng pamasahe. #
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/jeepney.jpg11522048Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-04-30 12:01:152024-04-30 12:44:26Ako na komyuter at ang mga nakikibakang tsuper
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
