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‘Ano ba ang patutunguhan nitong programa? Ang programa dapat nakakabuhay, ang programa hindi nakakamatay pero ano ang ginagawa nila sa atin? Tinatanggalan tayo ng hanapbuhay,’ says Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation groups PISTON and Manibela are holding a two-day nationwide transport strike next week beginning Monday, September 23.
In a press conference on Friday, September 20, Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena criticized Malacañang’s decision to reject the Senate’s call to suspend the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
“Hanggang ngayon, pahirap pa rin ang programang idinudulot nitong PUVMP, na kahit may suspension na ang Senado — suspension na para makapagpatuloy pa rin yung mga hindi nag consolidate — pero hindi ino-honor ito ng Malacañang,” Valbuena said.
(Until now, all this PUVMP program is giving us is hardship, that even with the calls for suspension at the Senate — suspension so that those who did not consolidate can continue plying — but the Malacañang did not honor this.)
In Senate Resolution 1096 dated July 24, 22 senators noted that at least 36,217 units or 19% of jeepneys and other PUVs have not yet consolidated, partly due to not having enough information about the program and how expensive the program would be for the drivers. Senators also called on the Department of Transportation to address concerns raised by transport groups.
However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in August that the modernization program would push through as those raising concerns “are in the minority.”
The President already said earlier this year that the April 30 deadline for consolidation — where operators of individual jeepneys form either transport cooperatives or corporations — will be final and no extension will be granted.
PISTON and Manibela have noted that jeepney drivers do not have enough financial capacity to shoulder the cost of the program.
“Ano ba ang patutunguhan nitong programa? Ang programa dapat nakakabuhay, ang programa hindi nakakamatay pero ano ang ginagawa nila sa atin? TInatanggalan tayo ng hanapbuhay,” Valbuena said on Friday.
(Where is this program going? The program is supposed to help us with our livelihood, the program should not be the cause of our death but what are they doing to us? They are pushing us out of our jobs.)
He added that those who did not consolidate should be allowed to register again as PUVs. – Rappler.com
