Three days before the deadline for franchise consolidation among jeepney drivers and operators nationwide, transport group PISTON along with legal counsel Atty. Neri Colmenares and National Union of Peoples Lawyers NCR Atty. Kristina Conti filed an urgent supplementary motion to the Supreme Court (SC) to expedite their Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) petition against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) last December 20.
Atty. Colmenares said it would be chaotic as it is “a disaster waiting to happen on January 1” should the PUVMP push through.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court sought comments from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) within ten (10) days following the TRO plea of transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA.
“Ibig sabihin, tamang tama lang ang pag-file namin ng motion kung nag-isyu na ang korte na magkomento ang LTFRB kasi ang motion na ito ay nagsasaad ng bagong data, ng facts na mismong MC ng LTFRB. Dito makikita agad ng korte na hindi talaga pinag-isipan, few days before the deadline nag-isyu pa ng circular?” Atty. Colmenares expressed.
[It means that our filing of the motion is just right if the court has already issued a comment from the LTFRB because this motion contains new data, the facts stated in the LTFRB’s own circular. Here, the court will immediately see that it was not really well-thought-out, issuing a circular just a few days before the deadline]
Deceptive LTFRB circular
Dated December 22, LTFRB released a five-page circular or the Memorandum Circular 2023-052 regulating the guidelines on the implementation of the PUVMP beyond the December 31 deadline for consolidation application.
Transport groups have since slammed the PUVMP implemented in 2017 along with its franchise consolidation as it would only lead to the gradual phaseout of traditional jeepneys, resulting in the loss of livelihood among operators and drivers.
Financially capable cooperatives or corporations that can meet the PUVMP’s requirement of having 15 or more units under a single franchise would also claim individual and small operators upon losing their franchises.
Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) that fail to consolidate or apply for consolidation into a transport service entity (TSE) before the December 31 deadline shall not be confirmed for purposes of registration as public utility vehicles.
Following the recent guidelines, LTFRB may allow non-consolidated PUJs to ply on selected routes where less than 60% of units are consolidated until January 31, 2024. There will also be “special permits” for PUJs that filed for consolidation to operate on routes without consolidated TSE which shall be valid for three months after Jan. 31, 2024.
“Ano man ang ilabas na sinasabing papayagan, ang dulot pa rin nito ay patanggal sa kabuhayan. Ang isang nilalaman din ng circular na kapag di nagconsolidate ay pwedeng papasukan ng nagconsolidate na,” said PISTON chairperson Mody Floranda.
[Whatever is stated as permissible, it still results in the loss of livelihood. The circular also contains a provision that allows those who have consolidated to enter if others do not consolidate]
Floranda slammed the said circular, saying it is only deceptive, especially to those PUJs that remain to be unconsolidated.
“Ang isang madaya riyan, habang bumibiyahe ka ay padadalhan ka ng summon. Maoobliga ka na pumunta kapag nagpatawag sila ng public hearing. Ang sasabihin nila ro’n, bakit ka nag-comply sa consolidation? Bahagi ito ng panlilinlang para maging ligal ang kanilang pagbawi ng ating prangkisa,” Floranda explained.
[One deceptive aspect of that is, while you’re allowed to so-called operate, you’ll receive summons. You’ll be obligated to attend if they call for a public hearing. What they’ll say there is, why did you comply with consolidation? This is a form of deception to make their revocation of our franchise legal]
In the National Capital Region (NCR), about 31,054 or 73% have yet to undergo franchise consolidation. PISTON identified fifteen routes in NCR that are projected to be severely impacted because of zero per cent consolidated units. These are as follows:
- Project 2-3 Pantranco
- Project 2-3 Welcome
- Project 2-3 Quiapo
- Project 2-3 Pier
- Project 2-3 Remedios
- Cubao-Vito Cruz (along E. Rodriguez)
- Cubao-Kalaw
- Cubao-Remedios
- Cubao-Pier
- Tipas-Pateros-Pasig (TPP)
- Pasig-Tipas diretso (TPD)
- Marikina-Pasig NDA
- Rizal-Pasig NDA
- EDSA-Pasig
- Bagong Bayan-Pasig
PISTON also estimated the consolidation rates among the following routes:
- Alabang-FTI 20%
- Alabang-Carmona 25%
- Alabang-GMA 15%
- Alabang-Biñan 22%
- Novalichez-Blumentritt 30%
- Novalichez-Camarin 30%
- Litex-Ever 40%
- Almar-Zabarte 50%
“Kung sa 50% paralisadong mga ruta, magiging 30 mins ang paghihintay ng jeep kung makasakay ka pa. Paano na kung ang problema natin ay may ilang ruta na zero percent consolidated?” Atty. Conti posed a question.
[If 50% of the routes are paralyzed, the waiting time for an individual for a jeepney might be 30 minutes if you’re lucky enough to get a ride. What if the issue is that some routes have zero percent consolidation?]
For example, in Project 2-3 with routes that have zero percent consolidation, it can be said according to the circular that some routes could add excess modern units from those routes that have already been consolidated.
PISTON noted this will lead to conflicts between modern and non-modern units on the routes.
On Route Rationalization
Atty. Colmenares highlighted the lack of route rationalization especially in Metro Manila. He laso questioned the plans of Local Government Units (LGUs) in addressing the alternative transport needs.
“May mga LGU na may route rationalization na sa bilang namin may 162 out of 1600 LGUs sa buong bansa. Pero sa Metro Manila talaga ni isa wala pa, buong Metro Manila wala pang route rationalization,” Atty. Colmenares said.
[There are LGUs with route rationalization; based on our count, there are 162 out of 1600 LGUs nationwide. However, none of them has implemented it yet in Metro Manila—there’s still no route rationalization in the entire Metro Manila]
“Kaya ang tanong sa LGUs, anong gagawin ninyo? Humingi ba ang gobyerno sa inyo ng plano ninyo para sa alternative transport na sinasabi? Wala kaming narinig dito mula sa mga LGUs, nagrerely lang din ang gobyerno ni Marcos Jr sa kanila,” he added.
[So the question to the LGUs is, what will you do? Did the government ask you for your plans for the alternative transport they’re talking about? We haven’t heard anything from the LGUs, and Marcos Jr.’s government is relying on them]
According to him, LTFRB’s recent circular only proved the statement of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. saying that there were 70% consolidated PUJs as false and misleading.
“Ang PUVMP ay tungkol at para sa ating lahat para maging maayos ang Sistema; kung kaya importante ang route rationalization. Saan ang nasaan ang mananakay? Importante po ang land transportation plan o program. Kung wala pa pala nito, bakit minamadali ang mga jeepney na umalis ng kalsada?” Atty. Conti seconded.
[The PUVMP is about and for all of us to have an organized system; that’s why route rationalization is crucial. Where are the passengers? A land transportation plan or program is essential. If there isn’t one yet, why rush the jeepneys to leave the roads?]
Will traditional jeepneys be banned after the Dec 31 deadline?
“Ang sinasabi ng LTFRB, papayagan nila basta nakapaloob sa Philippine Compliance. Pero ang isang malaking problema rito ay verbal at walang executive order na ano ba ang nilalaman nito? Ilalagay lang ba ang pinto sa kanan? Itataas ba ang ceiling? Magpapalit ng makina? Wala pang direktiba tungkol dito,” said Floranda.
[The LTFRB said they will allow it as long as it complies with Philippine Compliance. However, a significant problem here is that it is verbal and lacks an executive order specifying its contents. Will they just put the door on the right? Will they raise the ceiling? Will they change the engine? There is no directive on this yet]
Several jeepney drivers and operators have already proposed features of rehabilitated and modernized jeepneys since former President Rodrigo Duterte declared to phase out old and dilapidated jeepneys.
One motor industry like Glorious has its version of a modernized jeepney that costs P600 thousand.
In accordance to PUVMP, DOTr noted traditional jeepneys should be replaced by powered by Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs “to promote safer and more environmentally-friendly transport options”.
Additional features would also be included like speed limiters, a GPS navigation system, dashboard cameras, an automated fare collection system, Wi-FI, and closed-circuit television cameras.
The costs of these modern jeepneys start from P1.4 million cash or about P2.8 million if bought on loan. But jeepney drivers and operators said they were also unable to shoulder such an amount given that they only earn from P200 to 500 a day, adding the impact of rising oil prices on their earnings while recognizing the necessity of maintaining affordable fares for commuters.
“Malaking usapin pa at kung ano ang malaking epekto sa pagpasok ng January kung talagang hindi na tayo papayagang makapag-renew o makapagserbisyo, magkakaroon ng isang malaking transport crisis. Alam naman natin, ang epekto nito ay hindi lang sa kabuhayan ng driver at operator, apektado rin ang buong ekonomya kasi saan sasakay ang mga mangagawa, ang mamamayan kung walang public transport?” said Floranda.
[It’s still a big issue, and the significant impact of not being allowed to renew or provide services come January will lead to a major transport crisis. We know that its effects go beyond the livelihood of drivers and operators; the entire economy will be affected because without public transport, where will workers and citizens ride?]
Commuters rally behind jeepney drivers, operators
PasaHero para kay TsuperHero spokesperson Maria Elena Malvar said commuters would also bear the brunt of the looming phaseout.
“Malaki na nga ang kakulangan sa public transport para sa mga komyuter, paano pa kapag wala nang jeepneys? Magkakaroon pa riyan ng banta sa pagtaas ng minimum fare na aabot sa P30-50. Kung sa P13 pa lamang ay umaaray na tayo, what more pa kapag nadagdagan pa ito? Na bukod dito ay pasanin din natin ang pagtaas ng bilihin at ang barat na sahod,” said Malvar.
[The crisis on public transport for commuters is already significant, and it will worsen without jeepneys. There’s even a threat of an increase in the minimum fare, potentially reaching P30-50. If we’re already feeling the strain at P13, imagine the impact if it goes up. In addition, we also have to bear the burden of rising prices and low wages]
The PasaHero para kay TsuperHero is an alliance of commuters to support the fight of drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the face of the phaseout starting among traditional PUJs.
As a student, Malvar also worried that her P100 daily allowance would no longer suffice for her expenses on food and other things necessary for her schooling.
“Bilang estudyante, mula sa matrikula namin hanggang sa araw-araw na gastusin na ang mga magulang din namin ang nagbiibigay. Mahirap din para sa amin kung halimbawa pinagkakasya namin ang P100 sa isang araw kasama na ang pagkain, paano pa kapag umabot na sa P40 ang pamasahe? Paano na lamang kami nito?” she questioned.
[As students, our parents cover everything from our tuition to our daily expenses. It’s already challenging for us if, for example, we manage to budget P100 a day, including meals. How will it be if the fare reaches P40? How are we supposed to budget accordingly?]
According to her, the Marcos Jr. administration should instead prioritize rehabilitation or modernization among jeepneys in the context of supporting local industries and motor works rather than pushing the phaseout in the guise of PUVMP.
Transport strike on December 29
Transport groups will conduct a nationwide transport strike protest two days before the said deadline for franchise consolidation.
In the morning, jeepney drivers and operators alongside the supporters will troop in various assembly points located in the LTFRB office on East Ave, Monumento Circle, and Baclaran Metro Bank Service Road. They will eventually go to University Ave to join the rest of the protesters.
From UP Diliman, the protesters will hold a caravan going to Welcome Rotunda where they will march ahead to Mendiola Peace Arch.
Several drivers and operators from NCR and other regions like Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog are expected to participate in the nationwide strike protest.
