More than 1,000 traditional jeepney drivers and small-time operators held a protest-march in Bacolod City on Friday, Dec. 22, against the imminent PUV phaseout through the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation.
“We, drivers and small PUV operators in Bacolod City, strongly oppose the imminent franchise consolidation mandated by the government’s PUV modernization program. This Dec. 31, 2023 deadline directly threatens the livelihoods of small operators and drivers relying on individual franchises to support their families,” a unity statement from two transport groups said.
The Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD) – MANIBELA president, said and United Negros Driver and Operators Center (UNDOC) – PISTON, in their unity statement, said the franchise consolidation forces them to relinquish control of their routes to corporate entities or cooperatives, stripping away their autonomy.
Rudy Catedral, BACOD-MANIBELA, said they are asking that their franchises be extended.
“This franchise consolidation within the PUV Modernization Program is purported to enhance transportation, yet it evidently serves big corporations’ interests, aiming for a monopoly rather than genuine modernization. Over 80 percent or 140,000 drivers and 60,000 small operators, are dependent on individual franchises in the Philippines,” the unity statement said.
In Bacolod City alone, more than 2,000 jeepney drivers will face the brunt of this move, they added.
The program’s outcome— a one-route, one-franchise system —favors large entities possessing a minimum of 15 modern PUV units, leaving traditional operators and drivers sidelined and unemployed, BACOD and UNDOC said.
The proposed program benefits large corporations through incentivized loans from banks for purchasing modern PUVs at significantly lower interest rates compared to what individual operators can access, they added.
The absence of a clear plan for those displaced by this program showcases the government’s negligence towards those affected, the two groups said.
“We stand united with the nationwide strike on December 21 and 22 against this unfair franchise consolidation and modernization program. The filing of a petition by the transport group PISTON with the Supreme Court seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against this consolidation affirms our constitutional right to association, as forcing operators to join associations goes against our fundamental rights,” they said.
They said their opposition to the franchise consolidation and modernization program does not signify our resistance to progress.
“To genuinely enhance public transport, the government should subsidize our acquisition of modern units and involve us throughout the decision-making processes,” they said.
“For a truly people-centric modernization to flourish, we advocate for the nationalization of our transport system. Relying on foreign investors prioritizes profit over the welfare of small operators and drivers. Nationalization of our transport industry would ensure that our transportation system serves the needs of the people and safeguards the interests of local operators and drivers,” the two groups said.
They urged the government to junk the Department of Transportation, Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, and other relevant Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issuances that’ seeks to phase out traditional jeepneys.
“Our livelihoods are at stake, and we demand a more inclusive and fair modernization plan that doesn’t sacrifice the welfare of small-time operators and drivers,” they said.*