MANILA – Transport groups will conduct a series of transport strikes beginning April 15 in defiance of the government’s pronouncement that the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) franchise consolidation will no longer be extended.
In a statement on Thursday, Piston said the “series of transport strikes and protest actions” will be joined by another transport group — Manibela.”
According to Piston Deputy Secretary General Ruben Baylon, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision is an act of “pressure” on drivers and operators.
“The series of PUV Modernization program hearings in the House has not yet been completed, and our petition to the Supreme Court against it is still pending, but the administration is hurrying the seizure of the jobs of drivers and small operators,” said Baylon.
“It is obvious that the Marcos administration is not listening to the grievances of the transportation sector,” he noted.
“If they had not learned from the consecutive strikes last year, we will not hesitate to repeat these actions with even more strength this April,” he warned.
Transport groups have been calling for the complete elimination of the franchise consolidation requirement and the controversial PUV Modernization Program.
Marcos, however, earlier said no driver would “lose their job and livelihood” under the government’s PUV modernization plan. (Charie Abarca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
