ALTODAP won't join transport strike, suggests PUV consolidation extension

The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) on Sunday said it will not join fellow transport groups that will stage a two-day transport strike to protest the government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Despite this, ALTODAP president Boy Vargas said the government should still grant public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers who failed to consolidate into cooperatives before the April 30 deadline another chance to do so.

“Ang suggestion ko sa gobyerno natin ngayon, 'yung mga hindi nakapag-consolidate, kung gusto nilang sumunod, ay magbigay pa ng pagkakataon na mag-consolidate pa 'yung iba para walang maiwan,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(I suggest that the government give those who were not able to consolidate an opportunity to consolidate, if they want to, so that no one will be left behind.)

According to Vargas, all of the members of ALTODAP were able to consolidate individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations.

Meanwhile, PISTON and MANIBELA announced on Friday that they will hold another transport strike from September 23 to 24.

Among the goals of the upcoming protest action is to call for the renewal of franchises and registrations for all PUV operators, including those who choose not to consolidate, as well as allowing those who have entered franchise consolidation to withdraw.

Vargas said that all members of the so-called “Magnificent 7” will not take part in this protest.

“Kaya hindi kami makikibahagi, ang mahihirapan dito ay commuters. Lagi naman pong ganyan na lang eh. Ilang strike na sila na ginagawa. Ang tanong, may nangyayari ba sa ginagawa nilang strike?” He asked.

(We will not participate because it will be difficult for commuters. Other groups always do that. How many strikes have they done? The question is, does anything happen with their strike?)

“Sa tingin ko, ginagawa lang nilang dahilan ‘yung consolidation dahil kasi bakit 'yung iba, bakit kaming Magnificent 7, sumunod sa consolidation? Wala namang mawawala sa consolidation eh… Kung talagang gusto mong hindi sumunod, 'yun ang irarason mo, ‘yung hindi ka sasama sa consolidation,” he added.

(I think they're just using the consolidation as an excuse because how come the others like us were able to consolidate? There's nothing to lose from the consolidation... If you really want to not comply, you’ll use the consolidation as an excuse.)

The PTMP or previously Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) started in 2017 to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution.

It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit, however, costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program.

Initially, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had said that PUVs that did not consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be deemed as “colorum” or a PUV operating without a franchise.

Around 81.11% or 155,513 of 191,730 PUV units have been consolidated as of May, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). A total of 36,217 PUVs remained unconsolidated then.

For routes, 74.32% or 7,077 of 9,522 have been consolidated while 2,445 routes remained unconsolidated, the DOTr said.

The LTFRB later on allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low number of consolidations. —KG, GMA Integrated News