Traditional jeepneys who failed to consolidate before the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) deadline on April 30 will continue to ply Bacolod’s streets starting Thursday in defiance of government “unjust” act, Lilian Sembrano, Kabacod Negros Transport Coalition (KNETCO) president, said on Wednesday, May 1.
Striking members of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center and KNETCO joined the Labor Day rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the Bacolod Public Plaza to call for the junking of the PUVMP.
They are calling for the restoration of their franchises and will continue to operate as a sign of protest, Sembrano said.
While many traditional jeepneys kept off the streets of Bacolod on Wednesday, modern jeepneys continued to operate.
Members of the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Associations and Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros who have signed up for the consolidation program did not join the Bacolod strike.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that there would be no more extension after the April 30 deadline for PUV operators and drivers to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations as part of the PUVMP.
Under the PUVMP, operators must consolidate individual franchises under cooperatives or corporations to facilitate the acquisition of new, environmentally friendly transport vehicles.
PUV operators who fail to consolidate will have their franchises revoked by the LTFRB.
The unconsolidated jeepneys still operating will be impounded starting May 16, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said.*with a report from PNA