Nationwide Transport Strike by PISTON Challenges PUV Consolidation in the Philippines"

janimonow

Dec 14

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), a major transport group in the Philippines, initiated a two-day nationwide strike on December 14 and 15, 2023. The strike was a response to the government's deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, set for December 31, 2023. This move by PISTON aimed to protest the franchise consolidation and phaseout of traditional jeepneys as part of the government's PUV modernization program. PISTON's national president, Mody Floranda, indicated that the strike might be extended based on the government's response to their demands.

During the strike, commuters in areas like Quezon City faced longer wait times for rides due to the reduced number of operating jeepneys. Some drivers chose to operate early in the morning to earn income before joining the strike. The strike aimed to highlight the importance of traditional jeepneys for drivers' livelihoods, with one driver expressing the significance of fighting for their rights to the end. The government, through the Department of Transportation's Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, expressed openness to dialogue and offered free rides to affected commuters in collaboration with local government units and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The PUV modernization program, formalized under the Department of Transportation's Order No. 2017-011, has been a point of contention, with PISTON and its allies previously staging a three-day strike in November 2023. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has stated that the modernization program does not intend to phase out traditional jeepneys as long as they are roadworthy. Data from the LTFRB indicates that 56% of jeepneys nationwide have already complied with the consolidation process, with 25% compliance in Metro Manila.