“The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are really employing delaying tactics because it is evident on the difficulties of explaining such a program, especially the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), that wasn’t thoroughly studied by these agencies,” said Mody Floranda, chairperson of the PISTON group.
Today marks the first day of the nationwide transport strike led by PISTON and MANIBELA across various routes in the country. According to the groups, 70% to 80% of routes particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR) were paralyzed on the first day of the strike.
At around 4:00 PM, PISTON, along with Bayan Muna and the National Union of People’s Lawyers, filed a Motion to Resolve to the Supreme Court where the group has been pushing for a temporary restraining order on the PTMP, previously known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
According to Floranda, this is part of a series of motions they filed before the Supreme Court since December 29 and April 29 .
He also refuted the statement made by DOTr Undersecretary Andy Ortega regarding the data on those who have consolidated.
“Now the court can see that what we will submit contradicts what the DOTr and LTFRB claim, that 83% have complied; but according to the data, they themselves released in the board resolution on April 30, it’s clear that the majority of routes in the country have not really complied with the PUVMP,” said Floranda.
According to the LTFRB’s Board Resolution No. 53 Series of 2024 released on April 30, unconsolidated public utility vehicle units do not need to consolidate but they must still go through approval of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) and Route Rationalization Plan (RRP).
PISTON and MANIBELA consider this a victory as it provides ample time to scrutinize the PTMP. Alongside this, small drivers and operators can continue operating their traditional jeepneys.
However, despite being able to continue working, Floranda said there is still fear among small jeepney drivers and operators as some have yet to register or renew their permits. He added that those caught operating without registration face fines of up to PHP 10,000 for operators and PHP 5,000 for drivers. Their licenses will also be suspended for up to three months.
“In NCR, almost 139 routes do not qualify under the standards required to form a corporation or cooperative. A major problem is, why won’t they allow our operators to renew or register?” Floranda emphasized.
According to data, there are around 1,000 jeepney routes in the entire NCR affected by the PTMP.
MANIBELA further noted that are certain routes in NCR, such as Blumentritt, Taft, and others, that need to be prioritized especially in forming the route rationalization plan. This is based on the route efficiency of these areas, where issues such as route length, overlapping with other public transport, and the condition or number of passengers of jeepneys will also be considered.
“The impact of our transport strikes and campaign for the suspension of PTMP was even supported by the Senate Resolution signed by 23 senators that called for the temporary suspension of this program,” Floranda added.
On July 30, the Senate Resolution 1096 was filed to push for the temporary suspension of the PTMP due to its questionable and anomalous implementation.
“While the intent of PTMP is laudable, continuing with the program without addressing these concerns would go against the constitutional directive of promoting social justice in all phases of national development,” as stated the resolution.
Floranda is also part of the Makabayan bloc’s senatorial slate for the 2025 elections. He brings with him the issues and campaigns concerning the livelihood of small jeepney drivers and operators.
“Our goal is to push for laws in the Senate. First, we advocate for the scrapping of this bogus and fake modernization program under PTMP or PUVMP. Second is to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, TRAIN Law, EVAT, and all the oppressive policies and measures deemed as anti-workers. These are the things we see that need to be championed in the Senate. That’s why we accepted the challenge from Makabayan. As they say, people first, before anything else,” said Floranda.
