METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson and assistant secretary Celine Pialago said on Monday, September 30, that the transport strike had minimal impact in Metro Manila as she likened the number of stranded commuters to the average Friday rush hour crowd.
Thousands of drivers who are members of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (Acto) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) joined Monday’s strike to express opposition to the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, which will phase out jeepneys that are over 15 years old.
But the Pasang Masda and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) did not join the protest action.
The two groups asked other transport groups not to flag down their members to force to join their protest.
"Sana'y wag naman ganoon kasi 'yung malayang pagpapahayag hindi namin sila kinokontra diyan. Huwag na sana nilang perwisyuhin 'yung mga nagsisipagpasada na magseserbisyo sa ating mga mananakay," Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said.
Pialago said the routes Philcoa-North EDSA, Philcoa-Arayat-Cubao and Philcoa-Manila were “paralyzed” by the strike.
But not very many were stranded in other jeepney routes in Metro Manila.
“Hindi ganun kadami 'yung stranded. Kung i-aassess ho natin, para ho itong Friday rush hour,” Pialago said in a radio interview.
“Ang ine-expect po talaga namin, mag-o-occupy ng at least one lane 'yung mga stranded na pasahero,” she added.
(Not very many were stranded. Based on our assessment, it's just like Friday rush hour. We had expected stranded passengers to occupy at least one lane.)
She said they deployed MMDA buses on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to transport stranded commuters during the morning rush hour. Only a few, however, took the buses.
“May challenge po tayong na-encounter dahil hindi naman sinakyan ng ating commuters. Particularly, hindi ho nila route ang via EDSA,” Pialago said.
“Ang gagawin ho ng MMDA magpapadala tayo ng city buses na mag-a-address ho ng ruta na kailangan nila. So mag-a-adjust ho tayo,” she added.
Pialago said the free rides which the MMDA, PNP and the local government units offer will be available in the next 24 hours or until the situation goes back to normal.
Meanwhile, leaders of other transport groups in favor of the said modernization urged the other leaders to not mislead their members on the matter.
“Sa mga leader na ito, let us all be constructive, 'wag tayong destructive. Ipaliwanag nating mabuti 'yung layunin ng DOTr (Department of Transportation), ano ba ang omnibus franchising guidelines, bakit ba kailangan mag-modernize?" Pasang Masda's Martin said.
"Hindi 'yung dadaanin natin sa transport holiday, pag-aaklas, pagwewelga. As a responsible leader, kailangan constructive ka, hindi ka destructive," he added.
Martin noted that drivers need to be educated in order to make them understand the value of the program which is beneficial not only to them but also to the riding public and to the nature.
The government’s PUV modernization program requires operators to replace their jeepneys with vehicles fitted with Euro-4 compliant engines as part of efforts to make an environment-friendly transport system in the country.
"Kailangan lang ng kaukulang pagpapaliwanag sa mga kapwa operator sapagkat kailangan nilang maintindihan 'yung programa," said Martin.
"'Wag ho nating sabihing totally mahirap mag-apply ng loan, maraming requirements, eh hindi pa nila sinusubukan," he added.
Based on the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, operators will be assisted in acquiring new units by providing them 5 percent subsidy from the government and a term of 7 years to pay under a 6 percent interest.
The Fejodap also did not join the strike although they have earlier expressed opposition to the program.
Fejodap president Zeny Maranan said they are currently coordinating with the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and that they have already submitted their position to the Congress and Senate.
Authorities said they have yet to monitor any group who forced other drivers to stop and join them.
For his part, LTFRB chairperson Martin Delgra III said the PUV modernization has long been overdue.
"This is what the people had been wanting for a long time and I think this is what they deserve as well kasi matagal na rin po nating kailangan tugunan itong problema na pagsasaayos at pago-organize ng ating public transport," he said.
"Kung mayroon po silang issue regarding dito sa PUV modernization na ito, mag-usap. Hindi 'yung magi-strike at perwisyuhin 'yung mga mananakay—the very people that we're trying to serve. Hindi po puwede 'yan," he added.
Delgra said they are in close coordination with their regional offices to educate the drivers on the said program.
Acto president Efren De Luna, meanwhile, said they are not against PUV modernization. But he complained about the cancellation of their existing franchise in order to apply for a new one under new conditions.
“‘Yung sinasabi natin, bakit may kalakaran ang LTFRB na i-wash out lahat ‘yung mga prangkisa namin, i-surrender na? Ang lumalabas, new applicant na kami. Pag new applicant na kami, ‘yung ruta namin na inaasahan namin, papasukan na kami ng kapitalista,” De Luna said.
“Kailangan linawin ng gobyerno ‘yun. Kung talagang modernization lang ang hinahanap, hindi na kailangan mag-surrender kami ng prangkisa. Ang kailangan na lamang ay substitution. ‘Yung lumang sasakyan namin, papalitan namin ng bago,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)