Jeepney drivers call for return of operation, oppose PUJ phaseout

Several drivers in University of the Philippine-Diliman routes on Sunday called on the government to stop the jeepney phaseout and allow them to return to operation despite the pandemic.

Drivers from UP-SM North, UP Ikot, and UP-Pantranco lines joined Sunday's protest action.

According to protesting drivers and operators, they do not have the resources to shoulder the cost with the filing of their application for consolidation under the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

They also pointed out that the modernization program’s agenda is to phase out the traditional jeepneys.

Earlier, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board extended the deadline for the applications for consolidation of individual and existing franchise holders until March 31.

The original deadline for the application was set on July 10 in 2020, but the LTFRB extended it until December 31 in response to President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of a National Health Emergency due to the pandemic.

In a statement on Saturday, the League of Filipino Students-UP Diliman called on the youth and other sectors to oppose the impending jeepney phaseout and join the fight of jeepney drivers and operators.

“With the intention of development in the country, the national government must ensure that this is not done at the expense of the livelihood of many Filipinos,” the LFS said. —LBG, GMA News