Transport group says PUV modernization program will bury drivers, operators in debt

Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Monday said the government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program will just bury drivers and operators in debt.

In an interview on Unang Balita, PISTON president George San Mateo said drivers and operators would not be able to afford the P1.6 million jeepney units despite the loans that the government will provide.

"Kami po ay hindi tutol sa modernization. Ang pinaglalaban natin dito, 'yung modernization program. Kasi ang gobyerno ang nais talaga tanggalan kami ng kabuhayan at ibigay itong jeepney industry sa kamay ng malalaking negosyo so tanggalin 'yung aming kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng pag-phase out ng aming kasalukuyang jeep. Then may mga bago silang jeep na pagkamahal-mahal, P1.6 million bawat isa," San Mateo said.

"Kailangan mo ng minimum of 10 units para sa isang franchise, so sinong maliit na operator ang makaka-afford no'n? Then although sinasabi nila may pautang sila, pero ibabaon nila kami sa utang eh. So sabi natin ang gusto natin modernization na people-centered, modernization na nakabatay sa pagkakaroon ng nationalized, efficient and affordable mass transport," he added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said the government is merely "modernizing" and not "phasing out" public utility jeepneys. It added that the modernization program aims to introduce reliable and environment-friendly jeepneys to commuters.

The Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance have approved an P80,000 subsidy for 28,347 PUV jeepneys nationwide in 2018.

Meanwhile, San Mateo said the government should instead push for an industry in which raw materials needed for PUVs would be manufactured locally.

"'Yung gusto natin na modernization, halimbawa makapagtayo ng sarili nating planta ng paggawa ng makina, ibig sabihin dito na kinukuha raw materials. Alam niyo marami ring hindi nakakaalam, ang Pilipinas mayaman sa raw materials. Lahat ng raw materials para makabuo ng sasakyan nandito sa atin," he said.

"Eh kaya lang hindi gano'n eh. Ang gusto ng gobyerno massive liberalization, importation lang ng importation. Eh kahit ilang taon kang mag-import ng mag-import, at the end of the day, hindi ka pa rin makagawa ng sarili mong sasakyan. 'Yun ang hindi namin maintindihan sa gobyerno. Bakit hindi naghanap ng partner, ng kompanya abroad o government abroad na kakausapin nila na mag-establish ng engine manufacturing plant dito sa Pilipinas?" he added.

San Mateo said jeepneys would be more affordable if these are locally-manufactured.

"Kasi ngayon kaya mahal ang sasakyan, ini-import 'yung technology eh. Biro mo kung meron sana tayong local manufacturing plant, after so many years, ite-turn over na sa gobyerno 'yon. So nagkakaroon ka ngayon ng technology transfer so later on mapro-produce mo na 'yun nang maramihan at affordable cost," San Mateo said.

"'Yan ang issue talaga rito, 'yung mahal eh, kasi imported. Hindi totoo 'yung sinasabi ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) na locally-manufactured. Hindi po totoo. Imported po 'yun. Dito lang in-assemble," he added.

Piston is holding a two-day strike beginning Monday to oppose the government's PUV modernization program which they claim is a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the purchase of newer, more expensive models.

Among the groups supporting this week's nationwide transport strike are Kadamay, Migrante, League of Filipino Students, and Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Malacañang has suspended government work and classes in all levels of both public and private schools nationwide on Monday, October 16 in lieu of the transport strike. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News