Groups to hold transport strikes over non-extension of franchise merging

Drivers belonging to transport group Manibela with Paco-Rotonda Nagtahan route stage a protest at their terminal in Manila during the nationwide transport strike to protest the December 31 deadline for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to surrender their franchises and consolidate into cooperatives. (File photo from INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups will conduct a series of transport strikes beginning April 15 in defiance of the government’s pronouncement that the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) franchise consolidation will no longer be extended.

In a statement on Thursday, Piston said the “series of transport strikes and protest actions” will be joined by another transport group — Manibela.”

According to Piston Deputy Secretary General Ruben Baylon, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision is an act of “pressure” on drivers and operators.

“Hindi pa natatapos ang mga serye ng hearing ng PUV Modernization Program sa Kamara at nakabinbin pa rin ang petisyon namin sa Korte Suprema laban dito pero minamadali na ng rehimen ang pang-aagaw ng hanapbuhay ng mga tsuper at maliliit na operator,” said Baylon.

(The series of PUV Modernization program hearings in the House has not yet been completed, and our petition to the Supreme Court against it is still pending, but the administration is hurrying the seizure of the jobs of drivers and small operators.)

“Halatang hindi nakikinig ang administrasyong Marcos sa hinaing ng sektor ng transportasyon,” he noted.

(It is evident that the Marcos administration is not listening to the grievances of the transportation sector.)

“Kung hindi pa sila nadadala sa magkakasunod na welga noong nakaraang taon, hindi kami mag-aatubiling mas malakas pang ulitin ang mga pagkilos ngayong Abril,” he warned.

(If they had not learned from the consecutive strikes last year, we would strike over franchise non-extension and not hesitate to repeat these actions with even more strength this April.)

Transport groups have called for eliminating the franchise consolidation requirement and the controversial PUV Modernization Program.

Marcos, however, earlier said no driver would “lose their job and livelihood” under the government’s PUV modernization plan.