SCRIPT: Public Affairs

Members:

Alamares, Stacy Daniel Colle, Alexis Kyle

Alemania, Hommel Julius Singson, Ryme Jariz
Barcela, Mikaella Ramirez, Paulo
Borlagdan, Coleen

PLOT:

PISTON members—the think tank group against the PUV Modernization Project of DoTr,
LTFRB, and LTO—are campaigning and advocating the prejudicial aftermath of PUV
Modernization Project.

Coleen: In the dog-eat-dog framework of our political doctrine coalitions are created
to serve as the voice of the grassroots, a reactive approach from the public’s
interest. In our presentation, PISTON—a think tank group—acted as a
springboard for debates, and online discourse. This is where public affairs
came to play, as it is, if not all, about political influence.

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Ryme: The government should serve the people! Ano ang silbi ng demokrasiya kung
walang pake ang mga pinili naming makaupo sa taas? Sec. Bautista,
pakinggan mo ang hinanaing naming mga tsuper! Your project is anti-poor! It
is vile and out of touch with reality!

Lexi: Maraming magugutom na pamilya! Maraming mga anak ang hindi

makakapasok sa eskwela! Ang pag-alis ng pangkabuhayan ng mga mahal
nating draybers ay pagnakaw sa karapatan nila sa pagkain, edukasyon,
serbisyo, at pangkalusugan.

Others: NO TO PUV PHASEOUT! Protektahan natin ang mga Filipino drivers!

Protektahan natin ang kulturang pinoy!

ABC NEWS is covering the latest scoop (live interview in social media and mainstream
media), they are interviewing the leader of the PISTON Group, Mody Floranda (Paulo),
during a press conference:
Mela: Sir! Hindi po ba sobra-sobra na ang pag-extend ng consolidation deadline
para sa pag apply ng mga indibidwal ng public utility transports?

Paulo: Naaprubahan na po ni Presidente Marcos ang rekomendasyon ko para sa

consolidation extension sa katapusan ng Abril, marami po tayong mga
draybers na maaring maging mga colorum at possible pang mamultahan ng
sobra pa sa kinikita nila sa isang araw kung hindi ito i-e-extend. Ayon po sa
PCO ang extension ay inaprubahan para sa mga nag-apply at hindi nakaabot
sa nakaraang cut-off noong Dec. 31. Bigyan po natin ng pasensiya’t pag-
unawa, susunod po kami hangga’t maaari.

(Interviewers raises their hands tried to get Floranda’s attention)

Mikaella: Sir! Sir! Ano po ba masasabi niyo bilang presidente ng PISTON sa

kinakaharap na pagkawala ng kabuhayan ng ating mga tsuper?

Paulo: Ngayon umaasa po tayo sa kataas-taasang hukuman na sana katigan nila

ang mga karapatan at interes ng mga drayber at opereytor sa isang mas
maayos na serbisyo para sa ating mga mamamayan (Floranda on Inquirer
Net, 2024).
Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1882496/pistons-wishlist-for-2024#ixzz8RKvCqPmv

Sec. Jaime Bautista’s (Stacy) statement on the ongoing protesters from PISTON and other
transport groups.

Stacy: The PUV modernization program is a move for our country which prioritizes
the advancement of our land transportation, with 76% of nationwide
consolidation, we are closer to implementing the program. Tayo po ay
nakikiusap sa ating mga tsuper at operators to cooperate with our mission to
an eco-friendly, cohesive, and effective transport system.

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Coleen: Through several motions from the transport groups like PISTON and
Manebela, LTFRB considered the late fillings for consolidations—a
manifestation of the influence on policies and regulations, political
influence, per se. As of now, the implementation of the ‘jeepney’ phaseout is
still being pushed through by the Department of Transportation, headed by
 Sec. Jaime Bautista, the consolidation of PUV franchises is the initial stage of
the modernization program.

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(During an interview: Mela and Mikaella are holding up their mics to get their statements)

Lexi: Sa ngayon po ay patuloy pa rin ang pag-pasa namin ng petisyon sa Supreme

Court para putulin ang implementasyon ng proyektong ito.

Ryme: We are asking the high tribunal to nullify the issuances. Humihingi po kami ng
permiso sa katas-taasang hukuman na pakinggan ang boses naming nasa
marginalized sector.

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Coleen: Our leaders crafted a bureaucratic system that is rigid yet has its flaws and
loopholes. To quote Karl Marx “Society is in a perpetual state of conflict”,
considering that we have a plethora of ideas and intricate structures of
ideologies, consequently, dividing us. That is why think tank groups that
represents the people and policy makers which regulates a compromise or
an ultimatum acts as the bridge on political gaps.

Stacy: Think tank groups fighting against the PUV modernization program of DOTr
acted as the device to decelerate the enforcement of the said project.

Mela: It is a responsive approach—a reactive behavior—for the concerns of the

public, in this case, the PUV drivers.

Mikaella: Our presentation is a depiction of the innerworkings of public affairs.

Paulo: It is the art of political influence; the protesters against DOTr’s project
changed some of the policies (such as the application for consolidation)
which is beneficial for the public.

Lexi: Public affairs is also the art of persuasion; our depiction of PISTON is the
caricature of how a representative of a marginalized group should act.

Ryme: Today, according to GMA News, transport groups have filed a petition to the
supreme court and issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the
government from enforcing the policies.
Links: Jeepney Modernization

What is the PUV modernization project?

https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/10/the-jeepney-phase-out-explained

What issues arise from the said program?

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fears-losing-livelihoods-mount-manila-jeepney-
drivers-protest-phase-out-iconic-vehicles-philippines-4013926

What is the think tank group of the PUV modernization project?

- PISTON (Land Transport Coalition)

https://pistonph.com/about-us/
Who is Mody Floranda?

https://preen.ph/111625/piston-two-driver-still-detained-bn-1

How did DOTr respond on the transport groups’ concerns?

https://qa.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/23/2313480/dotr-consolidation-puv-
modernization-program-non-negotiable