PISTON strike to push through, but group open to discuss cooperatives issue

An estimated 100,000 members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) are expected to join the nationwide transport strike this week, but the group clarified it is still open to discussions regarding the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

According to PISTON national president Mody Floranda, the scheduled strike will push from November 20 to November 23, 2023, after appeals to just allow jeepney operators and drivers to rehabilitate their units did not bear fruit. The group said it will march to Mendiola on Wednesday, to protest the PUVMP.

“Bukas kami sa usapin ng kooperatiba kung ito ‘yung individual pa rin ang pag-aari ng unit, at individual pa rin ang pag-aari ng prangkisa,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(We are open to discuss the issue of cooperatives, if this entails the individual still owns the unit and the franchise.)

For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the government will assist the jeepney operators and drivers with their modernization program once they have joined the cooperatives.

“Kapag nakabuo na po sila, tuturuan po namin sila kung papaano po ‘yung fleet modernization program. Basta po ‘yung sasakyan nila ay tinatawag nating roadworthy, ayon po sa pamantayan ng LTO (Land Transportation Office), pasado po ‘yan at pwede po ‘yang bumyahe,” said LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III.

(Once they form cooperatives, we will teach them on how to go about the fleet modernization program as long as their vehicles are roadworthy based on the LTO guidelines, they will still be allowed to go on trips.)

The LTFRB last week warned that members of PISTON who will participate in the transport strike could face the suspension or revocation of their franchise.

To recall, the government has set a December 31, 2023 deadline for PUVs to enlist in the modernization program, which aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution, but drivers and operators complained about the costs which can hit over P2 million.

The government originally set a June 30, 2023 deadline, but this was extended to the end of the year following the announcement of a transport strike from March 6 to 12.
2023.

Transport officials, however, clarified that traditional jeepneys can still operate beyond the set deadline, provided that they join transport cooperatives to prevent “on-street competition” among drivers and operators.—RF, GMA Integrated News