UK transport workers back Piston’s fight vs PUV modernization program

Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) holds a strike on December 14 in protest of the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation applications. (INQUIRER.net photo / Arnel Tacson)

MANILA, Philippines — Calls against the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program have exceeded the borders of the country, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) said on Friday.

In a Facebook post, Piston shared a message from National Union Rail Maritime and Transport Workers of the United Kingdom (RMT Union-UK).

The group expressed its solidarity with members of Piston and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

RMT Union-UK sent a message signed by its general secretary Michael Lynch.

It was addressed to Piston president Mody Floranda, KMU chairperson Elmer Labog, and KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis.

“The Philippine government’s plan to phase out jeepneys will extinguish the livelihoods of tens of thousands of jeepney drivers who, for decades, have borne the cost of providing a cheap reliable public system throughout the country,” Lynch said.

He also said with very high costs involved, the conditions set by Philippine government to become an operator will put public transport into the “hands of wealthy private corporations.”

Lynch predicted jeepney drivers will be “thrown into poverty and unemployment.”

“We call on the Philippine government to withdraw its end-of-year deadline, negotiate a new plan with PISTON, and provide a solution that saves the livelihoods of existing drivers, maintains an affordable public transport system and improves conditions for drivers, passengers, and the environment,” Lynch added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the December 31 deadline for the franchise consolidation of PUVs will not be extended.