PISTON STRIKE FAILED TO PARALYZE PUBLIC TRANSPORT —LTFRB

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

“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.

Members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) started its threeday nationwide strike a day before the April 30 deadline for the consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators as part of the 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 Party-List Representative Arlene Brosas.

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

“Pwede bang i-[temporary restraining order] muna habang hindi pa nagdesisyon 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.

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

“We will give them six to nine 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 ORCR, in the meantime, ‘yan na muna okay na po,” Guadiz added.

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 percent of jeepneys nationwide and 52 percent in Metro Manila have consolidated.

In January, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. approved the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) 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. (GMA Integrated News)