Piston asks commuters to understand why it is holding transport strike

Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) holds a strike on December 14, 2023 in protest of the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation applications. (Photo by Arnel Tacson)

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) urged commuters to endure the inconvenience caused by its ongoing transport strike.

Piston President Mody Floranda noted the strike – organized by drivers and operators – aims to protect not only the transport sector’s interests, but also those of the ordinary people.

“Tayo’y nananawagan sa ating mga pasahero na sana ay maunawaan nila yung pagkilos na ito,” Floranda said on Thursday.

(We are calling on our passengers to understand this action.)

“Ang welgang ito ay hindi lamang sa interes ng mga drayber at opereytor,” he clarified.

(Let us reiterate that this strike is not just for the benefit of the drivers and operators.)

“Ito ay para sa interes ng buong mamamayan sapagkat gusto lang natin na manatili iyong mas maayos, mas mura na serbisyo para sa kanila,” he explained.

(It is for the benefit of all citizens because we simply want to maintain better and more affordable services for them.)

According to Floranda, commuters will suffer from imminent fare increases due to government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

He said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) intends to replace the traditional jeepneys with modern units.

The new units will have Philippine National Standards-compliant engines, a Global Positioning System, an automatic fare collection system, and Closed Circuit Televisions.

Floranda revealed the cost of each unit ranges from P1.4 million to P3 million.

He said operators and drivers will be forced to buy the units, and the amount will be recouped by increasing the fare of commuters.

“Paano nila pagkakasyahin iyong kanilang kakarampot na sahod sa pangangailagan, lalo na kung tataas ang pamasahe?” Floranda expressed his concern for the passengers.

(How can they manage their meager wages for their needs, especially if the fare will increase?)

As of posting time, the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys is P13.

This number may spike up to P35, with an additional charge of P3 per succeeding kilometer if the PUVMP will push through, Piston’s president made the computation.

For its part, Department of Transportation (DOTr) said government’s financing institutions will grant financial aid to operators who will buy the modern units.

It also committed to subsidizing a portion of the unit’s cost.

However, on Tuesday, Senator Grace Poe questioned the subsidy.

She pointed out the 2024 national budget does not cover the costs to subsidize around 300,000 PUVs, which will translate to an expenditure of at least P63 billion.

The senator observed PUVMP does not have safety nets to protect the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of PUV drivers.

Piston’s strike is set to last until December 15 (Friday).

Floranda, however, said the duration of the protest will depend on whether or not government will heed the organization’s call.

Piston is seeking the scrapping the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation applications.