Transport groups push modernization

Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups in support of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) will push through with their “unity walk” today (Aug. 5, Monday), and while they claim it is not a transport strike, government authorities are prepared to ferry commuters who might be stranded on roads.

At least 5,000 members of the Angat Kooperatiba at Korporasyon ng Alyansang Pilipino para sa Modernisasyon (Akkap Mo) will start their march at 6 a.m. from Welcome Rotunda to the gates of Malacañang in Mendiola to urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to heed the call of the 22 senators to suspend the the PUVMP—now called the Public Transport Modernization Program.

Don’t dupe people

“We needed to do this protest action because the senators might dupe the President [to actually suspend the PUVMP]. Our members are furious, because we are the ones who complied with the government’s programs, and now, we’re the ones being neglected,” said Ed Comia, chair of Metro Comet Transport Service Cooperative, which will join the unity walk.

The groups apologized in advance to the public who would be inconvenienced by their protest, which they described as a “show of force of the majority” that supports the PUVMP.

“We do not want to paralyze the transport sector on Monday. But worse comes to worst, we can really stop the economy from running if we stop our transport operations,” Comia said.

Members of the “Magnificent 7,” composed of the largest transport groups in the country, which also made a similar call opposing the deferment of the PUVMP, however, will not join the protest.