PISTON starts 2-day transport strike

Commuters waited longer to get a ride in PHILCOA in Quezon City as PISTON started its two-day strike on Thursday in protest of the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators.

Some of the commuters left their house early so they could make it to their destinations on time despite the limited number of operating jeepneys, James Agustin reported on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

“Medyo may perwisyo pero wala tayong magawa ganun talaga, may pinaglalaban sila. Pero dapat intindihan din nila iyong pasahero nahirapan din sila,” commuter Cecille Ragasa said.

(It was quite a problem, but we cannot do anything because jeepney drivers are protesting. But they should have considered the passengers who are also struggling.)

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan told Unang Balita that free rides will be offered to affected commuters provided by local government units and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Some of the jeepney drivers decided to operate early in the morning to secure food for their families before participating in the strike at 8 a.m.

“Sayang naman iyong jeep namin kung matatanggalan ng prangkisa... Mahalaga ‘yung pinaglalaban namin itong kabuhayan naming ito kaya ipaglalaban namin ito hanggang sa huli” jeepney driver Miller Bautista said.

(What will happen to our jeep if we don't get a franchise? Our protest is important because this is our livelihood, that is why we will fight for it until the end)

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the government is still open to dialogue with the groups who will join the two-day strike.

“Sana nga po ay hindi magtuloy itong transport strike,” Batan said.

(We hope this transport strike will not continue.)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the deadline for the consolidation of PUV operators would not be extended after December 31, 2023.

"Walang malinaw na batayan ang gobyerno para ipagpilitan ang deadline. Lalo lang nila papatayin ang mamamayan," PISTON earlier said in a Facebook statement.

(The government has no clear basis to insist on the deadline. They will only worsen the suffering of the people.)

It added that the local public transport route plan (LPTRP) still needs to be completed and that most local government units are still not ready for the consolidation.

Batan, however, said around 70% of PUVs already complied with the consolidation process. He also emphasized that traditional jeepneys would still be allowed to operate up to three years after the deadline for consolidation. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News