By Glaiza Salanio

Jeepney drivers under Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) declared another three-day transport strike on Monday, November 20 until Wednesday, November 22, as a protest against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

They oppose the idea that jeepney operators have to consolidate into a corporation or cooperative by the end of the year.

“Dito sa deadline ng December 31, 2023 na consolidation, sabi natin, paano ang mga hindi nag-consolidate na mga individual na operator?” said PISTON President Mody Floranda.

“Batay sa discussion, ang mga mawawalan naman ng hanapbuhay ay pwede naman mag-aral sa TESDA, pwede naman welder, pwede ka mag-mason…Ba’t hindi natin pwedeng tulungan ‘yong mayroong hanapbuhay na?” he added.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that the following routes would be affected by the strike:

• Bagumbayan-Pasig
• Pasig-Taguig via Maestrang Pinang in Tipas
• Pasig-Taguig via Pateros
• Pasig Market-Taguig via Bagong Calzada
• Guadalupe Market – L. Guinto via Pasig Line
• Marikina-Pasig
• Novaliches-Malinta
• Shelter Ville-Novaliches via Camarin Road
• Bagumbong-Novaliches
• Deparo-Novaliches via Susano
• Paco-Sta. Mesa via Nagtahan
• NIA-NPC to Mindanao Avenue-Congressional
• Baclaran-Sucat

Manibela joins call for livelihood

PISTON’s protest was then followed by a separate transport strike by the group Manibela on Tuesday, which would begin on Wednesday, November 22 and would last until Friday, November 24.

Jeepney drivers under Manibela in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Central and Western Visayas, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and the Davao Region in Mindanao are anticipated to join the transport strike, as stated by Manibela President, Mar Valbuena.

Valbuena said they are also against the LTFRB’s call of just signing up for the consolidation as this alternative is “too expensive.” He further argued that jeepney drivers and operators have the right to not join cooperatives and remain as single owners of their respective vehicles.

As of writing, the transport group planned to have a caravan from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, up to the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon Avenue on Wednesday, November 22.

Reasons for the strike

According to the Department of Transportation, the PUVMP aims to make the public transport system efficient and environmentally friendly.

Public utility vehicles, such as traditional jeepneys that are 15 years of age or older, would be phased out and be replaced by electric or Euro 4-compliant vehicles as part of the program.

Less than 60 percent of traditional jeepney drivers had joined the PUVMP and there are still many jeepney drivers and operators fighting against the program.

Thumbnail from Rappler