Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
MANILA, Philippines — The P1.6 billion allocated for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program was one of the reasons why Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III voted against the proposed 2024 national budget.
“Isa rin [ang PUV modernization] sa dahilan [kung bakit] bumoto ako ng no sa budget. Kasi nabigyan ng budget na P1.6 billion ang PUV modernization program,” said Pimentel in an interview over DZBB.
(The PUV modernization is also one of the reasons why I voted against the budget. Because the PUV modernization program was given a budget of P1.6 billion.)
According to Pimentel, the administration should listen to the voice of the people, especially the affected sector.
“Rather magpatuloy sila sa pagiging driver ng jeepney, stop na lang daw sila dahil lugi nga,” said Pimentel.
“Hanapbuhay ito at hindi naman hanap utang. Kung ganyan ang salita ng ating mga kababayan ay makinig naman tayo,” he emphasized.
(Rather than continuing their jobs, they say they would stop because they are losing money. They are after a means of livelihood, not a loan. If that’s what our countrymen say, let’s listen.)
Pimentel said that jeepney drivers are daily wage earners and stressed that the mere fact that these drivers are going on strike despite the threat of losing earnings reflects their desperation.
“This is a sign of desperation. In return, the government should listen [and] reexamine. That should not be reexamined only at the macro [level],” said Pimentel in English and Filipino.
Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, filed a bill where transitory assistance and services will be rendered to PUV drivers, operators, and stakeholders.
The bill, however, remained pending at the committee level.