
Around 500 supporters of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) staged a rally in Mendiola, Manila, on Monday morning, August 5, to denounce the Senate resolution that recommended the suspension of the program.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), the program started around 9:30 a.m. after the protesters marched from Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City to Legarda Street corner Mendiola, Manila.
The protesters were condemning the 22 senators who signed the resolution calling for the temporary suspension of the PUVMP.
They said they are ready to comply with the modernization program but they were confused when the Senate suddenly wanted to suspend the program.
The groups also appealed to the national government to approve the PUVMP budget and stop granting extensions to avoid delays in the program's implementation.
The rallyists were composed of members from the San Pedro Transport Corporation (SPTC), Lingayen Dagupan Transport Corporation (LDTC), Spark 01 Transport, Aimejod Transport Cooperative (ATC), Indigenous Community Transport Service Cooperative (ICTSC), Pandacan Transport Service, Angat Kooperatiba Korporasyon Alyansang Pilipino Para sa Modernisasyon (AKKAP MO), Magnificat Transport Cooperative, Novaliches-Balintawak-Blumentritt Transport Cooperative (NOBABLUM TC), Metro Rizal Marshall, CAMIATRANS, PERJODA, Pasig Green City Transport and Multipurpose Cooperative Pasang Masda, and Cubao-Rosario-Sta. Lucia Transport Service Cooperative (CURODA TSC).
Meanwhile, more than 100 elements of MPD were deployed to monitor and secure the Mendiola area.