Another transport strike eyed if gov't pushes transport modernization
A transport group warned President Rodrigo Duterte that it would set another transport strike if the government pushed through its plan of modernizing public transport system.
The members of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Tuesday protested against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government, saying they will not stop until they are heard.
PISTON National President George San Mateo in his short speech said if President Duterte will not stand with his words to have a talk with them, PUV drivers and operators will have to double their work to prepare for another strike.
“We are ready for another strike,” San Mateo told The Spiral Journal on the second day of the transport strike in Cubao, Quezon City.
San Mateo urged drivers and operators to double their effort to prepare for another strike should Duterte neglect their concerns.
“Kailangan [mag]doble kayod tayo pagkatapos nito, magkayod tayo, mag-ipon ng strike fund, at hindi magtatagal, magkakasa tayo ulit ng panibagong welga,” he said.
Cubao PISTON President Antonio Simangan Jr. also said they will not stop until the government genuinely hears them.
“Hindi kami titigil, mayroon pang kasunod ang welga hangga’t hindi pa napapakinggan ang kagustuhan namin,” he said.
Jeepney phase out
President Duterte, irked by nationwide transport strikes, said on Tuesday all public utility jeepneys would be phased out next year and that those who would not follow the order will be arrested.
“I’ll give you until the end of the month or until the end of the year. Sumunod kayo because [on] January 1, [2018], 'pag may nakita [pa] ako diyan [na] mga jeep ninyo… guguyurin ko yan sa unahan ninyo. If you want, gusto ninyo ng gulo, marami akong pulis,” Duterte said in a speech in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Simangan said jeepneys are not the cause of heavy traffic and that the modernization program will not lessen it.
“Isang halimbawa lang ang EDSA, walang jeep doon sa EDSA pero sobrang traffic—puro private [vehicles] lahat ‘yan, kaya hindi [ang mga jeep] ang nagpapatraffic,” he said.
Fare hike
Simangan Jr. said the minimum fare of 8 pesos should not be increased because an eight-peso fare is already a burden to commuters.
“Hindi dapat itaas yan. Alam mo masakit pa nga ang otso pesos sa mananakay. Ang number one na masasaktan dyan yung mananakay talaga tsaka hindi lang para sa aming mga operators ang aming mga pinaglalaban. Para rin sa mga mananakay,” Simangan told the Spiral Journal in a chance interview.
The PUVMP is a reconstructive flagship project of Duterte which will phase out the iconic jeepneys in exchage for a modern and sustainable environmental transport system.
The details of the possible strike are yet to be finalized.
They two-day nationwide transport strike by different transport groups led to the suspension of government works and classes in all levels on Oct. 16 and 17.