Jeepney drivers, operators start 3-day transport strike

Some jeepney drivers and operators opposing the government's Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program began their three-day transport strike on Monday.

At 6 a.m. in Baclaran, Parañaque, commuters could hardly get a ride via jeepney, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Dobol B TV.

Drivers belonging to the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) parked their jeepneys, around 50 of them, on the Service Road of Roxas Boulevard near Baclaran Church.

They said they would not ply their Baclaran-Divisoria route and vice versa.

Members of the Southern Police District were in the area to ensure peace and order.

Meanwhile, on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, commuters have yet to feel the effects of a transport strike as of 6:20 a.m., according to a report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B TV.

On Commonwealth Avenue near Litex, traditional jeepneys, e-jeepneys, buses, taxis, and motorcycle taxis continued to ply their routes.

There were no commuters stranded.

#BantayBiyahe: (As of 6:20 am) Tigil-pasada ng grupong PISTON, hindi pa ramdam sa bahagi ng Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City; ilan sa mga jeepney driver, hindi sasama sa transport strike dahil miyembro na sila ng kooperatiba. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/gVvoGmZo7u

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 28, 2024

Some jeepney drivers interviewed by Gatus said they are not joining the transport strike since they were already members of cooperatives and have undergone consolidation of their franchises.

They said it was more important to earn money than to hold a protest action.

At Monumento Circle in Caloocan City, commuters also had their choice of public transport available as of 6:25 a.m.

Jeepney drivers continued plying their routes to and from Navotas, Caloocan, and Recto at this time, according to a report by Mark Makalalad on Dobol B TV.

#BantayBiyahe: (As of 6:25 am) Ilang jeepney drivers sa bahagi ng Monumento sa Caloocan City, papasada muna para may pambili ng pagkain, bago lumahok sa tigil-pasada ngayong araw. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/lmBF4G0ypc

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 28, 2024

Some jeepney drivers interviewed said they will do two or three trips first before joining the protest action at Monumento, so they can at least earn some money to buy food for the day.

Another jeepney driver said he will continue driving until he is stopped by protesters.

Meanwhile, a truck of the Philippine National Police deployed by the National Capital Region Police Office was seen roving the area to ensure peace and order.

PISTON announced on Saturday a three-day nationwide strike from April 29 to May 1 in protest of the PUV Modernization Program and the April 30 deadline for consolidation of jeepney franchises.

The consolidation is the initial stage of the government's PUV Modernization Program that aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

Transport groups have said in previous protest marches that their members have lost their jeepney units after their vehicle registrations were transferred to transport cooperatives.

PISTON national president Mody Floranda said on Dobol B TV on Monday that they are hoping the Supreme Court (SC) will act on their petition filed in December for a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program.

"Umaasa tayo na maglabas ng TRO ang Korte Suprema kaugnay dun sa ifinile natin noong Dec. 20 and 29, at gayundin 'yung mismong House Resolution ng Committee on Transport dahil sa ang sabi nga, hanggang bukas na lang ang sinasabi ng DOTr [Department of Transportation] at ng LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] at gobyerno, at pagdating ng Mayo ay hindi na tayo papayagan na makapag-serbisyo," he said.

(We are hoping that the Supreme Court will issue a TRO regarding the petition we filed last December 20 and 29, and likewise the House Resolution of the Committee on Transport, because the deadline for consolidation is tomorrow, as per the DOTr, LTFRB, and the government. They also said we will not be allowed to continue our service in May.)

"Kaya't tayo pa rin ay sa loob ng dalawang araw o tatlong araw umaasa tayo na sana makita pa rin ni BBM 'yung kahalagahan ng sektor ng ating public transport," Floranda added.

(We are hoping that in these two or three days, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will see the importance of the public transport sector.)

According to him, many operators have not yet consolidated their franchises in fear of the big amount of money they have to loan in order to buy modern jeepneys that are Euro-4 compliant.

"Malaking porsyento pa rin ng mga operator ang hindi talaga nagko-consolidate kahit na doon sa binigay nila na tatlong buwan na extension sapagkat talagang natatakot ang ating mga operator du'n sa usapin ng pagkabaon sa malaking halaga na magiging utang nila," Floranda said.

(A big percentage of operators did not consolidate even during the three-month extension they gave because they are afraid of going into debt for a big amount.)

PISTON is also against the confiscation of franchises held by traditional jeepney drivers and operators.

"Bakit kailangang kumpiskahin ang ating mga prangkisa kung ang layunin lamang ng gobyerno ay ayusin ang public transport? Bakit hindi kilalanin ng gobyerno ang mga association? Dahil ang sinasabi natin ang mga association ay considered na nag-consolidate dahil nagsama-sama ang mga operator sa iisang samahan ng public transport," Floranda said, adding that operators should still own their units and franchises.

(Why should they confiscate franchises if the government's aim is to fix the public transport? Why don't the government recognize associations? Associations should be considered as having undergone consolidation because operators have joined together in one organization.)

DOTr

The DOTr on Sunday stood firm that they would implement the PUV Modernization Program while awaiting the decision of the SC on the petition of jeepney drivers and operators to halt the program.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV on Monday, DOTr Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said only the SC decision may change the situation.

“On the part of the government, firm din naman po tayo doon sa ating programa at saka doon sa consolidation. Siguro Supreme Court na lang po ‘yung makakapagbago ng sitwasyon para din sa dalawang grupo,” he said.

(On the part of the government, we are also firm in our program and in consolidation. Maybe only the Supreme Court can change the situation for both groups.)

In Metro Manila, Ortega said around 59% of operators and drivers have already consolidated into cooperatives in compliance with the program.

Ortega said the DOTr will observe “due process” for nonconsolidated drivers and operators after the April 30 deadline when they will no longer be allowed to ply their routes.

“Siguro, for the month of May baka puwede pa po sila. Basta ang importante lang po dito, due process should be given to them dahil kailangan po 'yun,” he said.

(Maybe, for the month of May, they might still be able to operate. The only important thing here is that due process should be given to them because that is necessary.)

“Then, eventually po makuha nila 'yung papeles o notification, and then they know hindi na sila puwedeng pumasada,” he added.

(Then, eventually they get the papers or notification, and then they know they cannot operate.) —with Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News