PUBLIC utility drivers and operators under PISTON began their two-day transport strike on Thursday to protest the December 31 franchise consolidation deadline.
PISTON pushed through with their transport strike despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration on Tuesday that the deadline for PUV operators and operators to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations would not be extended.
The group warned that the government’s decision would have negative consequences.
”Ang kahihinatnan ng pwersahang konsolidasyon ay paglala ng krisis sa transportasyon, lagpas 140,000 na tsuper at halos 60,000 na operator na mawawalan ng kabuhayan, at lagpas 28.5 million na komyuter na mahihirapan,” PISTON said in a statement.
”Wala nang ibang panahon upang ipaglaban ang ating kabuhayan at karapatan kundi ngayon.”
Marcos earlier said that 70% of all operators have already committed to and consolidated under the PUV modernization program.
”We cannot let the minority cause further delays, affecting majority of our operators, banks, financial institutions, and the public at large,” he said.
”Adhering to the current timeline ensures that everyone can reap the benefits of the full operationalization of our modernized public transport system. Hence, the scheduled timeline will not be moved,” he added.
