Drivers & Operators Requests Audience With Duterte

Drivers & Operators Seeks Audience With President Duterte

TRANSPORT STRIKE – Drivers and operators from across the country participated in the transport strike on Monday to protest the public vehicle modernization project of the government.

Drivers & Operators Requests Audience With Duterte
Image from: Cebu Jeepneys

The Public Utilization Modernization Program was launched by the Department of Transportation of the Philippines back in 2017. It also calls for the phaseout of PUVs that are at least 15 years old.

During an interview with DZMM, ACTO president Efren De Luna clarified that they are not against modernization. He stated that they are against the requirements of the government that leads nowhere.

De Luna said that these requirements would only push for the phaseout of smaller operators. He also added that they are against the voluntary surrender of franchises when a cooperative is established.

According to the interview, De Luna stressed that the new Jeepney models worth more or less P2.5 million does not qualify for government loans. Another requirement was a vast depot to keep the units.

He then pointed out that what they needed is a sit down in the President’s office. “Para wala po iyong tinatawag nating kunyari na meeting”, De Luna said.

The ACTO President lamented on how some meetings are just an attendance checking. Afterwards, nothing really happens, he added.

In lieu of this, the Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the modernization is long overdue. He added that the Duterte administration will not be intimidated by protests and strikes.

Panelo also wanted participants to assemble peacefully. He then said that they should never do any acts of violence that may harm the safety of the public.

In a previous article, the Government had already warned drivers and operators joining the strike that they might face charges. There were already 20 PUV operators that had there Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) revoked.

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