BACOLOD City – Amid the nationwide transportation strike by public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators beginning yesterday, a local labor rights group tagged the government’s PUV modernization act as “anti-poor” and unjust.
Wennie Sancho, secretary-general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), said the phase-out of old PUVs would further exacerbate the country’s soaring unemployment problem.
“Traditional jeepney drivers were shocked to find their franchises were [either] being canceled or modified for non-compliance with the PUV modernization program. Meanwhile, new franchises and routes were being issued to large corporations investing in modern jeepney units and other facilities,” Sancho said.
According to Sancho, transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) claims that the recent pandemic alone has affected 500,000 jeepney drivers and 200,000 small jeepney operators.
He stated that the same group will be affected by the modernization program.
Sancho also stated that one modern jeepney unit costs around P2 to 2.5 million, more than 10 times the current cost of a traditional jeepney.
He also pointed out that, compared to taxis and buses operated by large corporations, jeepneys are usually owned by low-income operators or drivers.
Sancho also stated that with the “questionable” program, the government has failed to protect the rights and welfare of workers and commuters.
In this city, the Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc., through its president, Rudy Catedral, said they will participate in the nationwide transport strike.
On the other hand, the Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros and the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association have announced that they will not participate in the transport strike.
The nationwide strike, from Monday, Nov. 20, until Thursday, Nov. 23, is organized by transport groups Piston and Manibela. It is a protest against the impending Dec. 31 deadline for consolidating traditional public utility jeepneys into cooperatives or corporations. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
