Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide slammed the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers.
PISTON national president Mody Floranda admitted on Tuesday, Dec. 12, that the group felt surprised by Marcos' declaration and that he fears this could result to the eradication of their livelihood.
Floranda said that around 35,000 traditional jeepney units in Metro Manila, and up to 135,000 units will lose their franchise if the government insists on the December 31 deadline.
"Yung kanyang declaration ay parang payag na payag na siya na mawalan ng kabuhayan ang ating mga driver at mga operator, pati na rin yung mawalan ng magserbisyo sa ating mamayan," Floranda said during DZRH's Balansyado
In a statement on Tuesday, President Marcos rejected the call to move the deadline even after PISTON threatened to hold a two-day transport strike this week.
Floranda also questioned the statement of President Marcos that 70 percent of operators have consolidated, and complied to the PUV modernization program of the government.
"Malayo iyan sa actual kasi pinagsama-sama na yung sa taxi, UV (Express), at saka ang truckers kaya ang tingin ng gobyerno ay nasa 70 percent na ang nag-comply sa kanilang modernization," Floranda said.
"Mas majority at mas marami pa rin ang hindi nag-comply dito sa usapin ng balangkas ng modernization," he added.
The transport leader insists that the government should help traditional jeepney operators and drivers to rehabilitate their units rather than pushing them to buy modern units.
Floranda said that Chinese manufacturers benefit from the PUV modernization program of the government.
"Bakit kailangan natin bumili ng ubod na mahal na mga mini-bus na inalalako ng China dito sa ating bansa," Floranda asked.
"Bakit kailangan namin pumasok sa corporation? Bakit namin kailangan bumuo ng kooperatiba kung ang layunin lang naman ay ayusin ang ating public transport," he stressed.
PISTON will hold the transport strike on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.
