Traditional jeepney drivers and small-time operators joined another protest-march in Bacolod City, Friday afternoon, December 29, against the imminent phaseout of traditional jeepneys with government’s deadline for franchise consolidation set on December 31.
The protestors also met with Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran to ask the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass a resolution asking the national government to further study the planned phaseout.
Familiaran said he will forward the request to the SP.
The drivers have been given reprieve by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) until January 31 as part of due process to enable them to explain why they have not taken part in the consolidation requirement under the government’s PUV modernization program, Familiaran said.
A petition is also pending before the Supreme Court (SC) to stop and ultimately void all government orders requiring the consolidation of franchises by Dec. 31 for the phase out of traditional jeepneys, Familiaran pointed out.
The SC has ordered the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to respond to the petition against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Hundreds joined the protest in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street on Friday led by BACOD (Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc.) Manibela and UNDOC (United Negros Drivers Operators Center) Piston, Rudy Catedral of BACOD said.
They were also joined by Partido Manggagawa (PM) Negros members.
PM, in a statement issued Friday, said it is calling for the just transition of the jeepney modernization and extension of phaseout.
“The phase out will surely bring a disastrous New Year for thousands of drivers and operators, their families and also to commuters who for years had been dependent for the cheapest transport,” it said.
“We cannot bear that though modernization will reduce pollution in the street, it will increase the hunger incidence that our poor fellow Filipinos is experiencing these years,” PM added.
“No to franchise consolidation, yes to individual franchise. No to jeepney phaseout,” the BACOD protestors said.*