Castro urges Supreme Court to issue TRO on PUV modernization as April 30 deadline looms
At A Glance
- Makabayan bloc member ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro is calling on the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) as the April 30 deadline for franchise consolidation nears.
- Starting May 1, unconsolidated jeepneys will automatically be considered colorum and would be barred from plying their routes.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (Facebook)
Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro is calling on the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) as the April 30 deadline for franchise consolidation nears.
"We urge the [SC] to intervene and stop the implementation of the PUVMP, which will only lead to widespread job losses and suffering among our jeepney drivers and operators,” Castro said in a statement on Sunday, April 28.
Castro, a House deputy minority leader, stressed that the PUVMP is “anti-driver” and “anti-commuter”.
"The PUVMP is a flawed program that will only benefit big corporations and financial institutions, while leaving our jeepney drivers and operators in debt and without a livelihood,” she said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently reiterated President Marcos’ statement that there will be no more extensions to the April 30 deadline for PUV drivers and operators to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations.
Jeepneys that are left unconsolidated will automatically be considered colorum and would be barred from plying their routes starting May 1.
Castro emphasized that if this deadline persists, it would leave thousands of drivers jobless.
The leftist solon said that instead of addressing the root causes of the transportation crisis in the country, the proposed modernization will only make it worse.
“The PUVMP is designed to benefit big business and foreign corporations, while leaving our jeepney drivers and operators to bear the brunt of the costs,” she added.
“We must stand together to fight for the rights of our jeepney drivers and commuters, and to demand a genuine and pro-people transportation system," said Castro. “We cannot let this happen.”
A three-day nationwide transport strike in protest of the PUVMP, as well as the looming April 30 deadline is expected to be held from April 29 to May 1.