PISTON warns of further protests against PUV modernization plan

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) took Monday's protest against the public utility vehicle modernization plan to the Don Chino Roces Bridge near Malacañang, where they warned of more protests if their objections were not heeded.

"Kung si Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte ay katulad din ni [transport secretary Arthur] Tugade na mag-bid na kakampihan o magiging pro-oligarchy... kakasahan namin ito ng pinaka-malawak na welga ng transport sa kasaysayan ng bansa," PISTON President George San Mateo told GMA 7 news program "24 Oras".

The group vowed to hold another strike along Commonwealth Avenue on the day of President Duterte's second State of the Nation Address.

PISTON also planned to stay and protest in Mendiola until midnight on Tuesday.

Despite this, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III insisted that the PUV modernization plan prioritized the interest of the riding public over that of the operators.

"I would just like to point out na 'yung sinusulong nila, is interes ng mga PUJ operators in particular," Delgra added. "But it is not to say na 'di natin pinapakinggan sila."

Monday's transport protest was organized after Delgra said that an earlier transport strike would not deter the government from carrying out the phaseout program.

PISTON is the sole transport group that is protesting the shift from old jeepneys to more environment-friendly vehicles proposed by the government.

Those who oppose the modernization plan had argued that 600,000 drivers and 300,000 operators would  lose their jobs because of the jeepney modernization plan.

However, the LTFRB pointed out that, as part of the modernization plan, each operator would be able to avail of a P1.2-million to P1.6-million loan package from the state-run Land Bank. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News