PISTON STRIKE FAILED TO PARALYZE PUBLIC TRANSPORT — LTFRB

The nationwide transport strike failed to paralyze the public transportation system, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday.

“Tila  walang epekto ang strike. In terms of paralyzation of the public transport system with special emphasis sa area na very strong ang presence ng PISTON like Divisoria, Sucat and Quezon Avenue. Kung napansin niyo parang wala naman kakapusan sa mga sasakyan,” said  LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III in Oscar Oida’s report on 24 Oras.

(It seems the strike did not have much effect.  In terms of paralyzation of the public transport system, they did not paralyze even areas where PISTON has a strong presence including Divisoria, Sucat, and Quezon Avenue.)

Members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) started its three-day nationwide strike a day before the April 30 deadline for the consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators as part of government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The protesters staged rallies across parts of Metro Manila including Pasig City and Quezon City as well as Laguna province. 

“Sabi nila ang dami nang nagpakonsolida pero maging yang mga nagpakonsolida napakarami po niyang angal. Kung papakinggan niyo ang nakaraan hindi po epektibo ang ginawa ng gobyerno na sapilitang konsolidasyon pero hanggang ngayon ayaw aminin ito ng gobyerno,” said Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas. 

(They claim a lot of drivers have consolidated but even those who have are complaining. If they would just listen, the government would know that forced consolidation is not effective but they would not admit this.)

Meanwhile, PISTON filed an amended petition before the Supreme Court (SC) against the PUVMP.

“Pwede bang i-TRO muna habang hindi pa nag-desisyon ang Korte Suprema? Kasi pag ma-cancel na ang prankisa simula bukas, kahit manalo pa kami sa petisyon, maibalik pa ba yan?” said lawyer Neri Colmenares.

(Can we implement a temporary restraining order while the Supreme Court has yet to issue a decision? If they will cancel franchises starting tomorrow, can we take them back if we win our petition?)

The LTFRB said they will accept the minimum requirements to consolidate starting May 1.

“We will give them 6 to 9 months to at least comply with all the documentary requirements but in the meantime, just to show proof na talagang  sila po ay sinsero po sa kanilang adhikain na sumama sa gobyerno, we will allow them to have at least the minimum requirements — petisyon, 'yung proof na kooperatiba na sila at saka OR-CR in the meantime yan na muna ok na po,” Guadiz added. 

(We will give them 6 to 9 months to at least comply with all the documentary requirements but in the meantime, just to show proof that they will comply, we will allow them to have at least the minimum requirements — petition, proof they are part of a cooperative and an OR-CR.)

Jeepney drivers and operators are required to join or form cooperatives under the PUVMP, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly engines. Operators and drivers can apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

Latest data from the LTFRB showed that 77% of jeepneys nationwide and 52% in Metro Manila have consolidated.

In January, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. approved the Department of Transportation (DoTr)’s recommendation to extend the deadline to join or put up transportation cooperatives or corporations until April 30.

The DoTr said it will no longer recommend an extension of the application for consolidation of individual PUV operators to form transportation cooperatives or corporations once the deadline lapses.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News

 

This article PISTON strike failed to paralyze public transport — LTFRB was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-04-29T15:05:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd