Metro Manila — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday warned the members of militant group PISTON of the consequences of holding another transport strike.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade reminded jeepney operators that as holders of franchises, they have a responsibility to the public. He added that the government, which has the full support of the riding public in implementing the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), cannot allow such groups to disrupt public convenience.
Secretary Tugade has already instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to pursue the cancellation of the franchises and licenses of the PUV operators and drivers who would join the planned transport strike on December 4 and 5.
“We have invited PISTON to dialogues, but still they insisted on holding strikes. Other transport groups sat down with us and we discussed the program together. Why can’t PISTON do that? I am positive that when they do, they will understand and they will agree that it is time to overhaul the public transportation system,” said Tugade.
For his part, Transportation Undersecretary for Road and Infrastructure Thomas Orbos called on the protesters to put the interest of the riding public at front and center.
“It is high time for them stop prioritizing their own interests, and start considering the interest of the riding public which, for the longest time, has been clamoring for a safe, convenient and environment-friendly system of public transport,” Orbos said.
The transport official added that PUVMP is aimed at modernizing the fleet of jeepneys, not phase them out.
With the exception of PISTON the PUVMP has gained the overwhelming support of different public transport groups. Among them are the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburb Drivers Association Nationwide Inc., (PASANG MASDA), Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines (LTOP), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and an overwhelmingly majority of provincial transport cooperatives all over the country. | DOTR-PR
