Nationwide transport strike pushes through

 

Transport groups went ahead with their nationwide strike on Monday morning, inconveniencing many commuters.

In Philcoa in Quezon City, some passengers have been waiting for an hour since 5 a.m. to get on public transportation, according to a report by Ivan Mayrina on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

The few passenger buses that passed by were full, with people standing on the aisles.

There were also a few jeepneys and UV Express vehicles which were full as well.

Commuters said it was also difficult to get a taxi.

Meanwhile, in Monumento in Caloocan City, there were fewer jeepneys plying their routes, according to a separate report by Darlene Cay on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

 

The jeepney drivers still servicing their routes said they will just do a few trips before joining the strike.

Some commuters left their homes early to allot more time for travel. No commuters were so far stranded in the area.

Thousands of drivers and operators belonging to the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) participated in the strike to oppose the government’s plan to phase out jeepneys 15 years old and older.

PISTON president Mody Floranda, however, said they are not against the modernization of public utility vehicles but are protesting the phaseout of old jeepneys and the cancellation of individual franchises.

“Ang pinaglalaban po namin ‘yung plano ng DOTR [Department of Transportation] at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] na kami raw po ay tatanggalin na ng 2020, at ‘pag July 1 ay mawawala na daw ang mga jeep at mga UV [Express] at papalitan na ito ng sinasabi nilang bagong modelo ng transportasyon dito sa ating bansa,” Floranda said in an interview with Mayrina on Unang Balita.

“Kahit kailanman ay hindi po kami tumututol sa modernisasyon. Ang tinututulan namin dito ay bakit ina-absolute, bakit bahagi ng mga nilabas nila na MC [memorandum circular] No. 2017-011 ay tatanggalan kami ng mga individual na prangkisa at papahawakan sa malalaking mga korporasyon ang moda ng transportasyon dito sa ating bansa,” he added.

Floranda said LTFRB’s MC 2019-013 makes it clear that transport routes will be given to big corporations.

Drivers and transport operators will not be able to comply with LTFRB and DOTr’s directives to undertake risk management and be part of a corporation or cooperative.

“Hindi kakayanin ng mga indibidwal na operator ‘yung halaga ng mga nilalako nilang sasakyan," Floranda said.

In another report by Mark Makalalad in Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV, some jeepney drivers in Quezon City said their operators urged them to join the protest action.

The LTFRB has warned that those participating in the transport strike run the risk of having their franchises canceled or suspended.

The LTFRB has long threatened them with cancellation or suspension of franchise. Whether or not they stage a transport strike, though, the government will still continue with its plan to deprive them of their livelihood, Floranda noted.

The PISTON president is appealing to commuters for understanding and said they are just fighting for their rights and livelihood.

“Kami po ay humihingi ng pang-unawa sa lahat ng commuters at sa lahat po ng mga mamamayan. Ang laban po ng drayber ay hindi lamang laban ng drayber at operator, kundi ito po ay laban din ng mamamayan,” Floranda said, adding that the effects of the PUV modernization include fare hikes.

‘Not intimidated’

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it will “not be intimidated nor cowed” by the transport strike “coming from those who only think of their own parochial interest.”

In a statement released Sunday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the modernization of the country’s public transport system is long overdue.

The modernization of the public transport system, particularly of public utility jeepneys, was among President Rodrigo Duterte’s biggest promises when he assumed office.

“While we will not dissuade the drivers and operators of public utility vehicles to join the proposed nationwide protest tomorrow, September 30, we caution them, however, to assemble peacefully and not perform acts of violence that will endanger the safety of the general public,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, pro-modernization Pasang Masda president Obet Martin urged his fellow transport group leaders to stop “misleading” jeepney operators regarding the issue.

“Sa mga leader na ito, let us all be constructive, ‘wag tayong destructive. Ipaliwanag nating mabuti ‘yung layunin ng DOTr, ano ba ang omnibus franchising guidelines, bakit ba kailangan mag-modernize?” Martin said in an interview in Dobol B sa News TV.

“Hindi ‘yung dadaanin natin sa transport holiday, pag-aaklas, pagwewelga. As a responsible leader kailangan constructive ka, hindi ka destructive,” he added.

He also urged strikers not to stop and harass those who decided not to join the strike.

“Sana’y wag naman ganoon, kasi ‘yung malayang pagpapahayag hindi namin sila kinokontra diyan ... Huwag na sana nilang perwisyuhin ‘yung mga nagsisipagpasada na magseserbisyo sa ating mga mananakay,” he said.

Classes, number coding

Classes have been canceled in many areas and schools as students and school personnel may be affected by the transport strike.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority suspended number coding for public utility vehicles (PUVs) on Monday in view of the strike.

MMDA clarified the lifting of the number coding for Monday will only cover PUVs.

 

LOOK: @ManilaDRRMO, nag-deploy ng transport trucks at fire engines para mag-alok ng libreng sakay sa mga pasahero sa Maynila na maaaring maapektuhan ng transport strike. | via @Isa_Umali

????: @ManilaPIOpic.twitter.com/AaiTjdJspS

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 29, 2019

 

Free rides

Local government units, the Philippine National Police and government agencies provided free rides to commuters affected by the strike.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office deployed transport trucks and fire engines to accommodate the affected passengers for free, according to a report by Isa Avendaño-Umali on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV.

Free rides are also being offered in Marikina City and Quezon City, according to Mayrina's report on Unang Balita.

The LTFRB, InterAgency Council for Traffic, MMDA, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group and other local government units will also deploy additional buses in Monumento, Taft Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Guadalupe, and Baclaran areas, according to Cay's report on Unang Balita. —With Dona Magsino/KG/VDS, GMA News