Striking transport groups urged to give way to other motorists

FILE: Traditional jeepneys occupy a public utility vehicle (PUV) terminal at SM City North Edsa on Thursday (Dec. 28, 2023), a few days before the Dec. 31 deadline set by the government for them to consolidate under the PUV modernization program. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Transport groups that will join the two-day strike against the government’s jeepney modernization program beginning Monday must ensure they will not cause inconvenience to the commuting public and other motorists.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj.

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. made the appeal as he directed all five district offices in Metro Manila to closely monitor the transport strike.

“Nakiki-usap tayo sa mga grupo ng Piston at Manibela na sana idaos nila ng maayos ang kanilang kilos protesta. Meron tayong mga designated freedom park, dun lang, at kung pwede sana ay wag nilang okupahin ‘yung buong kalsada. Magbigay sila ng part na dadaanan ng ibang motoritsta (We are appealing to the groups of Piston and Manibela to hold their protest properly. We have designated freedom parks, only there, and I hope they would not occupy the entire road. They should give way to other motorists),” Nartatez said in a radio interview on Sunday.

Nartatez said 6,638 NCRPO officers will be deployed, particularly in passenger pick-up and drop-off points.

He said the primary focus of the NCRPO are Quezon City and Manila due to a history of large participation in previous transport strikes.

The NCRPO will likewise provide free rides for commuters who will be affected by the transport strike organized by Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston).

“Should there be any assistance that our fellowmen need, they can easily approach our personnel deployed for immediate response,” Nartatez said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the April 30 deadline for the franchise consolidation under the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) would no longer be extended.

Marcos assured that the program will not be a burden to the drivers and operators because of the government subsidy for modern PUVs.

As of March this year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said 80 percent of PUVs in the country have complied with the consolidation policy.

Not joining

At a media forum on Saturday, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas president Lando Marquez said his group supports the PUVMP.

“Kami ay naniniwala na itong ginagawa ng ating pangulo ngayon ay ito ay para sa lahat (We believe that what our President is doing now is for everyone),” Marquez said.

“Nirirespeto namin ang karapatan ng aming mga kasamahan na nagdeklara na mag-strike pero kami ho na almost 20 organizations national ho ay hindi po sasama (We respect the right of our colleagues who have declared to strike, but we, with almost 20 organizations nationwide, will not join),” Marquez said. (With Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)