Transport

Strike

NOVEMBER 40

FACT SHEETS

1
Jeepney drivers, operators hold transport
strike
By: Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines – Several jeepney drivers and operators from different

groups joined a nationwide transport strike on Monday to protest
government’s plan to totally phase out jeepneys by 2020.
Aside from jeepney drivers from the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper
at Operator Nationwide (Piston), members of the Alliance of Concerned
Transport Organization (ACTO) and Stop and GO are also holding protest
actions in various parts of the country, including at Monumento in Caloocan,
and Commonwealth Avenue and Cubao in Quezon City.

These groups are demanding that the government stop the planned jeepney
modernization program, which requires 15-year-old vehicles to be compliant
with Euro 4 standards to cut off harmful emissions. Around 240,000 jeepneys
and 80,000 UV Express service vehicles will be affected by the plan.
The protest has forced local government units in Metro Manila and other
neighboring provinces to suspend classes.

Government agencies meanwhile gave assurances that contingency

measures are in place, such as the suspension of the number coding scheme
for public utility vehicles, and the deployment of buses in key areas.

2
Despite transport strike, PUV
modernization’s a go
By: Businessmirror.ph

DESPITE its crippling blow to productivity on Monday, the government resolved not to be
intimidated by the transport strike led by various groups and will continue to implement
the decades-old Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said the
modernization program will be rolled out as planned, albeit the government will be more
open to dialogue with the affected parties.

“It’s not an option for us to stop the program because of the transport strike,” he said.
“The point is we need to continue to implement the modernization program.”

Monday saw transport groups staging a strike, affecting cities across the Philippines,
including the capital, Manila. To cushion the effect of the protest, various government
agencies teamed up to provide alternative means of transport for commuters. Delgra
noted that his group will be open to dialogue with the transport groups to thresh out their
qualms.

The Philippines is in the midst of a six-year PUV modernization plan aiming to replace old
jeepney units with low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles to help reduce air pollution and
provide better transportation for commuters. It has been on the government’s drawing
board for more than a decade now but only came into effect last year, when the Duterte
administration took a hard stance amid opposition from operators. Under the program,
several agencies under the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), Trade and Industry
(DTI), and of Finance (DOF) are to work together to remove old and polluting units, replace
them with vehicles with larger volume capacities, and improve the road-worthiness of
public-utility units.

In a nutshell, the modernization agenda aims to affect a transition from current vehicles
plying the road to “high-quality public-transit requisites.” The transportation department

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listed these items as follows: “higher capacity vehicles, low-emission vehicles, fleet
consolidation, reformed business model and an effective information-technology system.”

Initial benefits of the program to commuters are easier access to public transport due to
an expanded network that connects different routes and establishments, and the
availability of “more reliable” public transportation means.

Reducing the carbon footprint that the Philippines produces annually, and educating
drivers to improve their driving methods and techniques are part of the program.

“There is a need for us to continue this program, which is not a one-program-fix-all.

Consultations are ongoing and we are listening. We know the issues that they raise, but we
will continue with the implementation of the program — it may be a bit slow or maybe a
bit fast, depending on the issues raised,” he said.

This is the fourth transport strike held against the PUV modernization program since
President Duterte took office.

‘Spare 15-year-old’
Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) President Mody
Floranda said operators and drivers are asking the government to delete certain provisions
in the program, particularly the phaseout of 15-year-old jeepneys.

The right approach, he said, is to refurbish existing units to meet the standards set for
transport modes.

“It is very clear that we are not against modernization. But what we need is rehabilitation,”
he said.

Floranda said the strike was successful, as it “paralyzed 95 percent of Metro Manila, and
100 percent in other regions.”

4
Transport group claims strike a success
By: Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — A leader of jeepney drivers claimed that the transport strike
yesterday was a success, paralyzing around 95 percent of the routes in Metro Manila.

The passenger jeepney drivers were protesting the phaseout of old commuter vehicles.

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) president

Mody Floranda said most drivers and operators supported the transport strike in the
metropolis where an estimated three million commuters ride the jeepney every day.

Floranda appealed to the public for consideration, saying they are also fighting for the
rights of commuters to a cheap and convenient transport system.

“We ask for the understanding of commuters, because if we do not act, time will come
when there will be no more jeepneys and fares will be higher,” he said in Filipino.

He hopes that President Duterte would listen to their plea and junk the orders of the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of
Transportation on the guidelines of the modernization program.

The transport leader said they are still open to dialogue with the LTFRB but added that
these should not be one-sided talks.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the nationwide transport strike held by
various transport groups yesterday was generally peaceful.

“The nationwide transport strike remains peaceful and orderly with no untoward
incidents,” PNP spokesman Brig. Ben. Bernard Banac said.

Banac lauded local government units, territorial police units and the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for providing free transport services to
stranded passengers.

The transport holiday was held by the Stop and Go Coalition, Pagkakaisa ng mga
Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide Piston and Alliance of Concerned
Transport Organizations (ACTO).

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Militant groups Kilusang Mayo Uno and the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang
Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas also supported the striking jeepney drivers.

Banac said they will remain vigilant to prevent occurrence of crimes and will be ready to
respond to emergencies.

Police trucks and buses provided by local government units in Metro Manila and nearby
provinces were deployed yesterday to provide free transportation to stranded passengers.

Classes were suspended in most schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga and Iloilo City.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Guillerno Eleazar coordinated
with the MMDA and deployed police trucks to assist stranded commuters.

Eleazar ordered police officials to deploy policemen on the streets to keep peace and
order.

In Manila, local police officers from Station 11 used motorcycles to give free rides to
commuters.

The Manila city government suspended only the classes of college students while classes
from pre-school to senior high school were not suspended. – With Emmanuel Tupas,
Non Alquitran, Mayen Jaymalin, Jose Rodel Clapano, Marc Jayson Cayabyab,
Edith Regalado, Gerry Lee Gorit, Roel Pareño, Ric Sapnu, Jennifer Rendon

6
Transport Strike Highlights Need for PUV
Modernization
By: Carmudi.com.ph

As the nationwide transportation strike took place on Monday, the public got a
hold of what it looks like having traditional and old-fashioned jeepneys
phased out on the roads.

This, as the country is poised to welcome the modern public utility vehicles
(PUV) in June 2020.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, commuters in the metro

expressed positive responses to the proposed transportation set-up.

Anju de Vera, a 25-year-old freelance creative artist who stays in Mandaluyong

and takes public transport to meet clients, said he is looking forward to the
modernization of PUVs, although worries about its affordability for the drivers.

“Yes [I’m in favor], as long as ‘di pahirapsamga jeepney drivers especially sa cost of
the upgrade (as long as the jeepney drivers won’t have to suffer so much due to the
cost of the upgrade),” he said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has

earlier announced it will provide five-percent equity, six-percent interest, and a
payment period of seven years for the modern jeepneys that cost around PHP1.2
million to PHP1.8 million.

Congress also agreed to provide an PHP80,000 subsidy per unit.

Apart from the price of the new transport system, some are having a hard time
accepting that with the modern jeepneys coming in, the traditional ones that
served as an “icon” on the roads of the country will no longer be seen.

Austrian businessman Harald Tomintz, who has been staying in the country for
37 years, said “the [traditional] jeepney will still stay with us for some time but
eventually be gone in years to come by slowly getting phased out.”

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“Perhaps a few of the jeepneys remain but with the technical upgrade to make
them compliant with the times,” he added.

“It’s a good move of the (Department of Transportation) DOTr to modernize the

PUV transport system. This is done with foresight and considered future-oriented.
Of course, a proper phase in (short- medium – long term) plan be necessary since
change can’t be done in a rush. And by doing so, the riding public is getting used to
and become aware of a more comfortable and environmentally friendly ride,”
Tomintz added.

On the other hand, journalist Monsi Serrano, who stays in Paranaque and
frequents to Makati to do business, thinks the ‘dated’ jeepneys “are running
coffins.”

“There are so many violations with the jeepneys, [there’s] pollution, overloading–
the maximum capacity is not followed. Hence, risks are so high. [It is a] a health
hazard,” he said, adding that the PUV modernization has several benefits in the
environment and economy.

His colleague, Edd Usman, agreed to this, saying the modernization program is
“long-delayed and there’s no reason to delay it further.”

Usman also said that some drivers lack discipline.

“Walang disiplina, sarili lang iniisip. Wala disiplina sa pagda-drive, kahit saan kahit
sa bawal huminto, hindi naman lahat. Meron pa mga bastos sa pasahero (Some
drivers are not disciplined; they only think of themselves. Others would stop
wherever even if it’s prohibited. Some are not polite to their passengers too),” he
continued.

The PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a flagship project of the Duterte

administration which envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and
environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have
stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their
destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.

8
‘Libreng Sakay' cushions
transport strike’s impact
By: Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Libreng Sakay (free ride) buses deployed by the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and local government
units during the nationwide transport strike on Monday, September 30,
measured up to the demand, save for a few cases where passengers were still
stranded.

The strike that paralyzed public transportation across the country was organized
by transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator
Nationwide (Piston) to protest against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization
Program. The program aimed to phase out jeepneys that were at least 15 years
old.

According to the Department of Transportation, majority of the cities and regions

all over the country fielded reports saying normal PUJ operations were
observed and no stranded passengers were sighted.

However, some areas gave unique reports that corroborated Piston's

announcement that Metro Manila and other locations in the country were at
least 95% paralyzed by the strike.

In Metro Manila

Free rides may have been unnecessary in some places, especially where
classes were suspended. In Fairview via Quirino to Balintawak, some jeepneys
along the route did not have many passengers on board. In Makati, reports said
that the number of commuters was minimal.