MANIBELA gathers in front of DOTr office to protest PUV modernization program

Members of transport group MANIBELA arrived at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office in San Juan City on Wednesday morning to protest the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Around 8 a.m., six jeepneys were seen in a portion of EDSA in San Juan City, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad.

Around 100 protesters were also seen in the area, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

Manibela livestreamed the protest action on Facebook where members can be seen holding banners and placards with text: “No to jeepney phaseout.”

DOTr security officers and Manibela members earlier engaged in a briefing to ensure the safety of the protest and the smooth flow of traffic.

Personnel from San Juan City Police and Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group were deployed in the area.

Traffic has started to build up in the area due to the protest action.

On Monday, MANIBELA started its three-day transport strike as a protest in relation to the PUV modernization program.

The DOTr has expressed openness to some changes in the government’s PTMP to address the concerns of transport groups.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the department will present a “solution” in two weeks after its talks with more stakeholders.

“Absolutely, we're open to changes. This time it would be different. We would be open to changes because clearly there are some issues that need to be resolved,” he said.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, MANIBELA said the group had a dialogue with the DOTr but the two camps have not agreed on anything.

Started in 2017, the PTMP — formerly the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) — aims 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 not deemed roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit 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. Unconsolidated units are considered colorum.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News