MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has appealed for the support to the public utility vehicle modernization (PUV) program as transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) holds its transport strike on October 16 and 17.
In a joint statement, the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) expressed disappointment over PISTON’s “refusal to discuss with the government their concerns on the PUV Modernization Program and its consistent appeal to public sentiment through false propaganda and misinformation.”
“We hope reason will prevail upon the leadership of PISTON and they finally open their doors to discussion for them to truly understand and appreciate the PUVMP,” the statement read.
The DOTr and LTFRB also questioned PISTON’s real motives in staging the protest, saying “a close survey of organizations backing PISTON would reveal that these are mostly non-drivers and/or non operators of public utility vehicles, as shown by PISTON’s open alliance with the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).”
“How can they hold a legitimate protest when in fact, majority of the protesters do not represent the public transport sector? In PISTON’s 36 years of existence, when did they ever agree or give their support to a proposed reform on our public transportation sector?,” it said.
“These further leave us these questions: Do they [PISTON] really have the higher interest of the riding public and the best interest of jeepney drivers and operators if they oppose each and every program aimed at improving public transportation? Or is PISTON disagreeing just for the sake of disagreement, in order to justify its existence as a militant and leftist group?,” it added.
Members of PISTON were present during the consultations for the drafting of the guidelines of the program, it added.
“It was only when the PUV Modernization Program had already taken shape and gained support from transport groups and cooperatives nationwide that PISTON disengaged with the government and refused to dialogue.”
Consultations are currently being conducted with local government units (LGUs) for their local transport route plans as well as various transport groups and cooperatives nationwide.
The DOTr said the program has gained the support of major transport groups namely 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 Stop and Go Coalition.
A financial assistance program is also available to public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators and drivers through the government financial institutions Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines for the acquisition of new PUVs in compliance with the modernization program.
Under the program, jeepney units that are 15 years old will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.
These will also be equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi.
The DOTr and LTFRB also appealed for patience to the riding public that would be affected by the two-day transport strike. (PNA)
