By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito, Reigh John Bench Almendras
Jeepney drivers and youth-led organizations protest against the PUV Modernization Program of the DOTr and LTFRB. Photo courtesy of Augusto Urbano II of The LANCE.
Members of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela organized a five-day protest from November 20 to November 24, opposing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
In a concerted effort to enhance the efficiency and environmental sustainability of the public transportation system, Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2017 issued DOTr Department Order (DO) No.: 2017-011, or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road and Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance.
In collaboration with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), DOTr aims to replace aging Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including jeepneys and buses that have surpassed fifteen-year lifespan with safer and environment-friendly alternatives within the next three years.
DOTr and LTFRB have issued a warning to jeepney drivers and operators, urging them to adhere to the impending deadline on December 31, 2023 by joining either a cooperative or corporation. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in immediate removal of non-compliant drivers and operators from public roads, effectively terminating their employment in the sector.
Oppositions and Transport Strikes
Between 2017 and 2019, jeepney drivers staged a series of strikes, with its first dated February 6, 2017, in resistance to the proposed jeepney phaseout plan.
Despite LTFRB’s assurances that the program is not meant to phase out classic jeepneys, PISTON and Manibela remain skeptical, questioning the true motives behind the proposed upgrades.
“Wag na nila lituhin ang taumbayan. Ang franchise consolidation ay phaseout. Ang franchise consolidation ay pagbawi at pagmasaker sa mga indibidwal na prangkisa at pagpasa nito sa mga malalaking transport corporation na sila lang may kapasidad na magbayad at sumunod sa mga pakana ng gubyerno,” PISTON national president Mody Floranda said in an interview.
Manibela President Mar Valbuena said over 200,000 jeepney operators and drivers across the country participated in the recent transport strike with an estimated 400 routes in Metro Manila alone being affected by the protest.
Valbuena dismissed the LTFRB's warnings about potential franchise suspensions or revocations for strike participants.
“We don’t have franchises anymore, the moment they started issuing provisional authority. This is not a franchise. What we are fighting for is we should have a franchise. We don’t have a reason to be cowed,” Valbuena said.
Government Reaction
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) downplayed the initiatives of PISTON and Manibela, asserting that the five-day strike was unsuccessful.
“PISTON failed to paralyze the transportation on their first day of strike.. We think that it might be just normal rush hour foot traffic,” MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said.
In contrast to its statement, the agency sent out buses, e-tricycle, coasters, vans, and cars with monoblocs to cater stranded passengers.
In Manila City, a vehicle of Manila Police District (MPD) transported 105 commuters on the Quezon Boulevard-Cubao route.
Cases of stranded students were also recorded as Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte left the decision of class suspension on the discretion of Local Government Units (LGUs) upon recommendation of the MMDA.
The DOTr and LTFRB are hoping for the strike to end as they have already started addressing the concerns of the resisting groups.
The PUVMP remains scheduled for its final date of implementation on December 31.
The order shall also take effect to other PUVs such as school service vans, UV Express and other vehicles utilized for public transportation.