ILOILO City – A number of traditional jeepney operators are expected to participate in a protest organized by the “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition” this Monday morning.
The protest targets the looming deadline for franchise consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
It will begin at 8 a.m. with a caravan from the transport terminal in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro district, heading towards the Iloilo provincial capitol grounds in the City Proper for a rally.
Elmer Forro, a leading organizer of the coalition, said the protest caravan supports the two-day transport strike led by transport groups Manibela and Piston that also begins today.
Forro explained that the national protest aims to oppose the April 30 compulsory consolidation deadline, which he believes harms not just drivers and commuters, but the community as a whole.
He noted that compulsory consolidation signals the start of phasing out traditional jeepneys, which are a primary source of income for individual operators and drivers.
Forro also expressed concerns that if the modernization program proceeds, it would not only impact drivers and operators but would also lead to increased fares for passengers who will have to switch to minibuses.
He criticized the government’s handling of the modernization program, particularly the failures of cooperatives and corporations involved. Many drivers and operators who initially consolidated their franchises have left their cooperatives or corporations due to unmet promises, such as a promised daily dividend of P500.
The “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition” is calling for the government to address the issues with the modernization program before further implementing it and to consider making franchise consolidation optional instead of compulsory.
“Ang aton panawagan, tana-won gid kon feasible ang PUVMP, kag kinahanglan gid bala nga ipton ang drivers and operators naton nga magsulod compulsory sa cooperative and/or corporation,” said Forro.
They also seek to reinstate the five-year franchise period for operators of traditional jeepneys.
In Iloilo City alone, according to Forro, hundreds of traditional jeepneys remain unconsolidated, and about 100 units have already left their respective groups due to lack of benefits.
He expressed hope that the government, under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., would heed their call to make consolidation optional and to reconsider the modernization program’s feasibility.
Although Manibela and Piston have called for a two-day strike, the “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition” plans a one-day protest to allow traditional jeepneys to continue operations.
However, as the April 30 deadline approaches, the coalition plans to conduct a series of activities, including caravans and rallies on April 23 and 30, to further press their demands./PN
