Transport groups rally anew vs. PUV consolidation

Dismayed by the government's response to their grievances, transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA launched a rally in Manila City to protest the impending deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators on Dec. 31.

The protesters converged at the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City and marched up to the Mendiola district in the City of Manila.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) estimated the marchers' numbers at 1,500 individuals with about 300 PUVs as of 2:19 p.m. at the corner of España Boulevard and Lacson Street.

Before proceeding to Welcome Rotonda, several protesters threw bags of paint at the central office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Quezon City, as well as images of the agency's officials and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

PISTON and MANIBELA pushed through with the protest despite the decision of the LTFRB to allow PUV operators who have yet to consolidate or submit applications to ply select routes until January 2024.

Friday, Dec. 29, was supposed to be the end of their latest transport strike, but the groups said they were ready to extend it for as long as it takes.

LTFRB circular

In an interview on Balitanghali on Friday, PISTON national president Mody Floranda expressed belief that the new timeline was a strategy of the government to push the PUV modernization program forward.

"Ang inilabas ng LTFRB ay sa loob ng January hanggang January 31 na sinasabi nga nila na papayagan pa rin makabiyahe 'yung ating mga traditional jeepney pero ito ay bahagi ng pamamaraan ng LTFRB para padalhan ng summon 'yung ating mga operator at paliwanagin na kung bakit hindi nag-comply dito sa usapin ng modernization program ng pamahalaan," Floranda said.

[The LTFRB circular provides that traditional jeepneys will be allowed to operate until January 31. This is a means for the LTFRB to summon our operators and make them explain why they have been unable to comply regarding the government's modernization program.]

'Transport crisis'

For his part, BAYAN president Renato Reyes Jr. said the deadline would cause a mass transport crisis, citing LTFRB data that only some 35% of PUVs have consolidated in the National Capital Region.

“The LTFRB is all but admitting there will be a shortage of jeepneys next year yet continues to stand by a deadline that thousands of drivers cannot meet,” said Reyes.

“To understand the magnitude, there are almost 30,000 PUJs and more than 4,000 UV express units that have NOT consolidated. That's 34,000 vehicles. How is this not a mass transport crisis?" he added.

PISTON Counsel and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares said the protest action was indicative of the drivers' sentiments against the cancellation of their franchises.

"We reiterate our prayer to the [Supreme Court] to issue the [temporary restraining order] pending the decision of the Supreme Court on the petition or at least pending the compliance of the LTFRB and DOTR to the order of the Court for them to comment," said Colmenares.

Setting the deadline

Despite the leeway provided by the LTFRB to PUV operators, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier Friday stood firm on implementing the Dec. 31 deadline for individual PUV operators to consolidate.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the DOTr and LTFRB to comment on the pending petitions to stop the government's PUV Modernization Program.

"Considering the allegations contained, the issues raised, and the arguments adduced in the petition, but without necessarily giving due course thereto, respondents DOTr and LTFRB should comment on the petition and on the urgent application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or writ of preliminary injunction within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice hereof," the SC said in its order dated Dec. 28.

Also on Thursday, transport groups filed an extremely urgent motion asking the Supreme Court to issue a TRO on the PUV Modernization Program. — with a report from Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News