A major transport group is planning to hold a three-day strike starting Monday, Nov. 20, to protest the government’s deadline to consolidate drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys into either a corporation or a cooperative.
The consolidation is part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) as a requirement for the application of franchise.
In a statement, the Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said the three-day transport strike is its answer to the firm stand of the national government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), on the consolidation deadline.
PISTON National President Mody Floranda said their main concerns regarding the implementation of the PUVMP have not been met, particularly the demand to repeal the franchise consolidation component of the program and suspend the entire PUVMP.
“The franchise consolidation scheme may result in the monopoly of a few big fleet managers or corporations who have the necessary capitalization to control PUV routes, thus concentrating market control in the hands of a few corporate entities and effectively stripping small-time operators of their democratic control over their vehicles and livelihoods,” said Floranda.
According to Floranda, around 80 percent of all jeepney operators in the country only own one jeepney and with the planned consolidation, the majority of jeepney operators are at risk of being displaced.
PISTON has been urging the national government for the following demands:
•Scrapping of the franchise consolidation requirement and allow those who previously complied to withdraw their individual franchises;
•Restoring the five-year franchises for all PUVs and all modified PUV routes;
•Providing immediate cash aid and reasonable financial support for all affected PUV drivers and small operators;
•Upholding the right to freedom of association and respect the right to strike; and,
•Implementing a pro-people just transition in public transport modernization anchored on a program of local and national industrialization instead of overly relying on imported vehicles.
The DOTr, however, remains firm on the Dec. 31 deadline.
As of Nov. 15, there are a total of 129,568 consolidated units for public utility jeepneys, UV Express, Mini Bus, and public utility, representing 65.03 percent of overall authorized units.
The remaining 34.97 percent consists of 69,665 individual franchise holders.
Still allowed to operate
In a statement released on Nov. 7, the land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said road-worthy traditional jeepneys can still travel beyond the Dec. 31 deadline.
“The re-fleeting or replacement of PUVs will not be immediately implemented. The Department of Transportation is very clear about this: traditional jeepneys which are still road-worthy will still be allowed,” said LTFRB executive director Robert Peig.
He explained that this is part of the order of the DOTr for operators and drivers to be given enough time to replace their vehicles with modern ones.
Emergency meeting
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the LTFRB held a meeting to discuss its plans to mitigate the impact of the transport strike.
“The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), led by Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, and the members of the Board, will conduct a meeting today to discuss how the impending transport strike will impact the transport sector and the riding public,” the LTFRB said in a statement released to the media.
“The LTFRB leadership vows to coordinate with other government agencies and the local government units on ways to provide free rides to the public should the transport strike pushes through,” it added.