10K PRO-MODERNIZATION DRIVERS, OPERATORS ASSAIL SENATE FOR PUVMP SUSPENSION

By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Aggrieved that the Senate has yielded to only 20% of the transport sector, an estimated 10,000 drivers and operators of transport cooperatives will launch a “unity walk” on Monday, August 5, 2024.

They will march from Mabuhay Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City to Malacañan Palace to express their opposition to the Senate resolution recommending the suspension of the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Nalulungkot ako kung bakit ginawa ito ng Senado. Parang ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon [sa pagdinig] ay ‘yung 20 percent [na hindi nag-consolidate]. Kaming 80 percent [na nag-consolidate], hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong magsalita,” lamented Melencio Vargas, president of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), in a radio interview on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

He expressed his frustration that 22 of 23 senators signed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension of the PUVMP.

“Nakakasama ng loob, sumunod na kami. Kung gusto nilang ipatigil ito, dapat 2016-2017 pa lang tinutulan na nila ito,” Vargas added in an interview on Super Radyo DZBB.

Ed Comia, convenor of the Kooperatiba at Korporasyon ng Alyansang Pilipino para sa Modernisasyon (AKKAP MO), revealed that simultaneous strikes will also be held in other parts of the country such as Cagayan de Oro and Cebu.

However, the “Magnificent 7” in the transport sector has expressed sympathy with the pro-PUVMP cooperatives but will not join the “unity walk.”

“Kami sa Magnificent 7 kabahagi ang FEJODAP, hindi sumang-ayon sa unity walk subalit nakikisimpatiya rin naman kami sa mga hinaing ng mga kasama natin sa kooperatiba. Kawawa po ang sambayanan mananakay, di po sila kasali dito,” said Jeph Gochengco, national president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP).

The “Magnificent 7” is composed of FEJODAP, Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Stop and Go Transport Coalition, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas, and National Federation of UV Express Inc.

(ia/mnm)