ILOILO City – To dramatize their opposition to the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), the “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition-Panay” will hold a transport strike on July 24 coinciding with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys believe the modernization program adversely affect their livelihood, said Elmer Forro, lead convenor of the coalition and secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) – Panay.
“Nabutang sa delikado ang palangabuhian sang drivers and operators bangod sang phaseout sang traditional jeepneys,” Forro told Panay News.
He also said many traditional jeepney operators and drivers in Panay Island, particularly in the city and province of Iloilo, found themselves in an “undemocratic and disentail [disadvantageous]” situation after circumstances forced them to join transport cooperatives. as required by the PUVMP.
A pay of P500 daily was promised to operators who joined transport cooperatives but no one got paid since the modernization program was implemented, claimed Forro.
“Natiplangan gid sila bangod sang pamahog nga indi sila matagaan or indi makabiyahe kon indi mag-consolidate or create sang cooperative,” said Forro.
He also asserted that the modernization program is being implemented by force and that the program is not a Republic Act passed by Congress.
According to Forro, the program is only based on a memorandum and department order issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“Ining modernization program nga ginaduso sang gobyerno, ginapilit nila despite nga wala pa sang klaro nga budget kag waay man sang klaro nga laye,” said Forro.
The “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition-Panay” is calling on the national government, particularly the DOTr and LTFRB, for the following:
* suspend the implementation of the PUVMP while reviewing the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines
* restore the five-year validity of the franchise
* review Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) first; restore old PUV routes in the meantime
* restore the sale-and-transfer of franchises to operators
* provide support and assistance to drivers and operators
* maintain affordable and sustainable jeep manufacturing methods
As of this writing, 70 operators and drivers from the city and province of Iloilo have committed to joining the transport strike.
This number is expected to increase; the coalition is coordinating with those from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.
As for Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, Forro said they could conduct a transport strike as well since many traditional jeepneys in the area have not joined transport cooperatives.
One-day strike only?
According to Forro, the No to PUV Phaseout Coalition-Panay will only initiate the transport strike for one day.
But if many will join them on the first day, they are open to extending it for a second day.
“Nagapanawagan gid kami nga updan kag suportahan ang welga sa July 24,” the BAYAN – Panay secretary general called on commuters, drivers, and operators of traditional jeepneys.
Transport strikes will be held in other parts of the country, too, to be led by transport group Manibela.
Manibela will hold a strike from July 24 to 26 against the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for the consolidation phase of the PUV modernization program.
Manibela said they are hoping for Marcos to favor the continued operation of traditional jeepneys.
“‘Yung hinihingi natin sa Pangulo na siya na po mismo magsabi sa kaniyang secretary na ‘yung aming prangkisa ay maibalik sana sa limang taon,” Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said. (With a report from gmanetwork.com)/PN
