Members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) kicked off on Thursday, Dec. 14, their two-day tigil pasada to strongly oppose the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
According to RH Christian Maño’s report, PISTON members gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) in Quezon City.
Wearing white shirts that have the text "Stop Consolidation, Go Modernization through rehabilitation", the members called for the junking of the PUV phaseout.
The transport group is expected to conduct a caravan from UPD to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's office in East Avenue, Quezon City, where a program will be held.
‘PUV PHASEOUT IBASURA’
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) December 14, 2023
WATCH: Ilang miyembro ng PISTON, nagsimula nang magtipontipon sa UP para sa 2 araw na tigil-pasada at gagawing welga at caravan patungo ng LTFRB para tutulan ang PUV modernization | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/tzJDLfJNKB
Meanwhile, RH Edniel Parrosa reported that 2,000 jeepney drivers in seven routes in the eastern National Capital Region would be participating in PISTON’s transport strike.
LOOK: 2,000 jeepney sa 7 ruta sa Eastern NCR, gagarahe ngayong araw bilang pagkontra sa PUV modernization — PISTON | RH52 @ednielparrosa #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/rxJ7FR6TNM
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 13, 2023
Interviewed by Parrosa, JODA President Ernan Gallardo asked for the commuter’s understanding as the strike may bring inconvenience to them.
“Hindi naman namin ito gusto gawin. Sila lang naman, gobyerno ang nagtutulak ng tigil-pasada. Kaya sana naman, itigil muna ng Pangulo ang sinasabi niyang deadline ng December 31 para hindi na tayo umabot sa marami pang usapin,” Gallardo stressed.
‘GOBYERNO ANG NAGTUTULAK NG TIGIL-PASADA’
— Edniel Parrosa (@ednielparrosa) December 13, 2023
Ayon kay Ernan Gallardo, presidente ng isang JODA sa Pasig City, ayaw nilang maging abala sa mananakay pero naninindigan sila sa pagkontra sa consolidation deadline ng PUV modernization. @dzrhnews https://t.co/TwmmMhsa1S pic.twitter.com/DfdBXDYiRn
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. earlier stood firm by the Dec. 31 consolidation deadline and rejected the call to extend this.
He reasoned that adhering to the scheduled timeline would ensure "that everyone can reap the benefits of the full operationalization of our modernized public transport system."
In another report by Parrosa, PISTON members blocked other jeepney drivers and stopped them from resuming their trip in Pasig Mega Market.
The members reportedly confiscated the placards of other jeepney drivers. The lack of jeepneys consequently left many commuters stranded.
Ilang miyembro ng PISTON nanghaharang ng mga bumibyahe sa Pasig Palengke; pila ng mga stranded humahaba na | RH 52 @ednielparrosa #DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 14, 2023
LIVE:https://t.co/Ri1bg3vpQC pic.twitter.com/MlaRIDudTT
The transport strike will end tomorrow, Dec. 15.
