Transport groups to stage nationwide transport strike vs PUV modernization program

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups are set to stage a nationwide strike against the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (Acto) president Efren de Luna revealed this on Monday as his group held a protest in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB) office.

Acto is opposing the provisions of the modernization program that they believe are impossible for the drivers and operators to comply with, such as the requirement to have their own depot or terminal.

The strike was originally scheduled on Monday but it did not push through as the organizers hoped the agency will be be able to address their concerns.

“Pero ang lumabas, wala silang kasagutan, nagtago sa looban ng kanilang ahensya, kaya sa susunod, magkakaroon na kami ng malawakang transport strike na sasamahan na tayo ng iba’t ibang samahan,” De Luna told reporters in an interview.

(They don’t have solutions to our concerns. So next time, we will push through with the nationwide transport strike which will be participated by different transport associations.)

“Ito, pwedeng mangyari ito sa darating na September, dahil kabuhayan namin ang nakataya rito (This may happen in September because our livelihood is at stake here.),” he added.

De Luna said groups will form an alliance that will include drivers and operators of jeepneys, UV Express, taxis, buses, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) for the protest.

“‘Yun ang sinasabi na huling banat na sabayan na tinatawag na kilos protesta (That is the last resort — a nationwide protest),” he added.

The PUV modernization program, which was launched by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2017, requires operators to replace old models of vehicles with Euro-4 powered, industry-standard units. /ee

READ: Acto to hold transport strike on Monday, July 15