Piston urges SC to halt public transport modernization program
MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) on Monday again prodded the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of the public transport modernization program (PTMP).
In a six-page motion, Piston national president Mody Floranda, through lawyer Kristina Conti, said the extensions made by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the deadline for consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers is proof that the PTMP is “ill-conceived” and “gravely prejudicial to the interest of the transport sector and the public at large.”
The group told the high court that last July 15, LTFRB issued a resolution allowing unconsolidated PUVs to continue plying their routes in areas with low compliance of consolidation.
The petitioner stated that the resolution covers 2,645 routes nationwide and no longer imposes a deadline to comply with the PTMP.
“While respondents attested in their submissions before this Honorable Court to the purportedly high and successful consolidation rate, the extensions they granted render doubtful and even belie such claims,” the transport said.
“As it appears, respondents themselves recognize the danger that millions of commuters would be left without public transport adversely affecting their livelihoods and wreaking havoc on the economy,” it added.
Article continues after this advertisementThe group, in its original petition, called for the nullification of several issuances, including:
Article continues after this advertisement- DOTr Department Order (DO) No. 2017-011 (Re: Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance)
- LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) 2018-008 (Consolidation of Franchise Holders in Compliance with Department Order No. 2017-011, otherwise known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG)
- LTFRB MC 2020-084 (Extension of Time to File Application for Consolidation Pursuant to Industry Consolidation of PUVMP)
- LTFRB MC 2021-021 (Guidelines for the Issuance of Provisional Authority to Units of Individual Operators with Pending Application for Consolidation and those that Failed to File an Application for Consolidation Pursuant to the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines [OFG] and the Procedure in the Qualification and Selection of Applicants).
The issuances impose additional requirements or guidelines to be followed by PUVs, which, petitioners said, is proof that the PTMP is not fully polished.
The PTMP was supposed to be fully implemented starting January 1, 2024, but the deadline was extended to January 31, 2024. The PTMP was again extended to April 30, 2024.
Petitioners maintained that the modernization will affect the livelihood of drivers and their families as well as commuters nationwide.
They also said the government’s move is “oppressive, overreaching and confiscatory” considering the damage it will bring to the livelihood of ordinary PUV operators and drivers as well as the prohibitive cost of the modern jeepney that will replace the traditional one from P1.4 to P1.7 million to P2.5 to P2.6 million.
READ: SC asked to press the brakes on jeepney phaseout
