PISTON to protest ‘Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok’ program

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) would stage another strike to protest the government's "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" program, which it says was a covert attempt at a jeepney phaseout.

"Ito na po ang simula o bahagi ng phaseout na pinapatupad ng gobyernong Duterte para i-promote itong marketing scheme nila ng pagbebenta nitong mga mamahalin at overpriced na sasakyan na nais daw nilang ipalit sa jeepney," explained PISTON National President George San Mateo on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras Weekend".

The "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" program was created to ensure that public utility vehicles were up to standards.

"Kung may problema, bigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag-comply. Eh dito ang habol talaga nila multahan nang multahan," San Mateo explained.

But the DOTr countered that the program was there to ensure that PUVs were safe for public use.

"Ano po ang gagawin natin kung bumabaybay na sa kalye, nakikita na nating mausok, hindi ho ba? Ano hong gagawin namin? Eh 'di siyempre papatigilin na po namin yan," Undersecretary Tim Orbos argued.

"Hindi naman ho pwedeng harap-hgarapan nakikita na nating hindi dapat bumabaybay yan, wala sa kondisyon, eh hindi namin papatigilin."

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded San Mateo that a transport strike was illegal.

"Baka nakalimutan ni Sir George 'yung one of the terms and conditions po ng Memorandum Circular 2011-004 — hindi ho pwedeng gamitin 'yung prangkisa, hindi ho pwede magprotesta, object or cease oeprations as a sign of protest to any government decision or policy," said LTFRB Spokesperson Aileen Lizada.

The LTFRB planned to meet with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to deploy buses which would cater to commuters affected by the shortage of jeepneys due to the Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok program. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News