Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) announced on Wednesday, Nov. 15, that it is set to hold a three-day transport strike starting on Monday, Nov. 20.

According to PISTON National President Mody Floranda, the three-day transport strike is in response to the approaching Dec. 31 deadline for franchise consolidation applications under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

It can be recalled that another transport group, Manibela, also conducted a transport strike in October to protest against the phaseout of hundreds of thousands of traditional jeepneys nationwide.

Under the PUVMP, traditional jeepneys are instructed to replace with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. However, operators and drivers voiced concerns about the high costs, which could exceed P2 million.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier clarified that traditional jeepneys are still allowed to operate after the scheduled deadline as long as it is "road worthy" to give operators and drivers time to avail themselves of the modern jeepney.

JUST IN: Grupong PISTON, magsasagawa ng 3-araw na malawakang tigil-pasada simula sa Lunes, Nov. 20, 2023 para iprotesta ang nakaumang na deadline para sa aplikasyon ng franchise consolidation sa ilalim ng PUV modernization program. | via @xtian_mano, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/7P59VD8FZV

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 15, 2023