Commuters prepare: Jeepney, UV Express drivers to hold week-long strike on Mar. 6-12

Trouble is on the horizon for the commuting public as a nationwide transport strike is set to happen from March 6 to 12, 2023.

This is in response to the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issuing Memorandum Circular No. 2023-013, which gives PUV operators until June 30, 2023 to consolidate or join existing cooperatives. 

However, the LTFRB later announced on March 1, 2023 that it will extend the deadline to December 31, 2023, thereby also extending the franchises of traditional jeepneys until the end of the year.

As of press time, there is no word yet from the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) transport group on whether or not it will push through with its strike, which it claims will be the first of many.

Phasing out old PUVs 

The LTFRB memorandum, in effect, calls for the phaseout of all traditional jeepneys as part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Reports put the number of jeepneys and UV Express vehicles that will join the strike to be around 40,000 units in Metro Manila alone, while there has yet to be a number estimate for other regions. 

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Routes in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Bicol will also be affected by the strikes.

PISTON is also calling on the support of commuters for their protest against the government’s PUVMP initiative. 

Taking action

Are modern “jeepneys” the answer to safety, convenience, and environmental concerns of commuting? 

While many believe that these traditional jeepneys and UV Express vehicles will no longer be able to ply the road after the June 30 deadline, the LTFRB has clarified that if they can comply with the modernization requirement, they can still operate.

The Senate has heard the plea of these PUV/PUJ drivers and adopted a resolution calling the LTFRB to postpone the June 30 deadline to a later date.

The resolution was approved at a recent Senate plenary session, stating that the LTFRB should first resolve the valid and urgent concerns of PUV/ PUJ operators regarding the financial viability of the PUV Modernization Program. 

Will you support PUJ groups in their cause?

Source: Commuters prepare: Jeepney, UV Express drivers to hold week-long strike on Mar. 6-12

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