PISTON expects over 100,000 transport workers to join 3-day strike

CNN Philippines

Transport group PISTON expects over a hundred thousand will participate in their three-day strike next week to protest the December 31st deadline for franchise consolidation of public utility vehicles.  Gerg Cahiles reports.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 "Ibasura! Ibasura!"

00:02 Transport Group Pistón declared a three-day transport strike beginning Monday

00:07 as the December 31 deadline for POV operators to consolidate and form a cooperative or corporation draws near.

00:14 This is based on the rules under the POV Modernization Program of the government.

00:18 But the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB clarifies

00:23 it is not true that unconsolidated traditional jeepneys will not be allowed to ply their routes starting January 1.

00:31 "There is no truth to the fact that the consolidation of December 31 must be completed.

00:37 We are only asking for what is called substantial compliance.

00:43 This means that if you file for compliance even if it is not yet completed, you are considered consolidated.

00:55 You can now run your routes."

00:59 The agency says operators who are already part of the POV Modernization Program

01:04 are given 27 months or until the first quarter of 2026 to replace or upgrade their vehicles.

01:11 Philippine POV standards require the door to be at the right side of the vehicle,

01:16 ceiling must be high, comfortable seats must be provided,

01:20 and the engine must be at least Euro 4 powered.

01:23 "I am currently discussing with the major manufacturers of vehicles the concept of lease to own.

01:35 There is no down payment to the operator, your jeepney will maintain, your manufacturer will have a driver,

01:45 and you will also have a co-operative."

01:48 Since the POV Modernization is not abrupt, the LTFRB assures the public that there will be no transportation crisis next year.

01:56 "Technically, you cannot travel anymore.

01:59 But to prevent a vacuum in certain areas, we will temporarily allow you until the consolidation of the quarantine is not over.

02:10 The moment it is over and they are able to fill up the vacuum,

02:14 your vehicle will have to stop traversing the route."

02:19 The LTFRB leadership appeals to Piston not to proceed with its planned transport strike.

02:24 But in case a transport holiday will proceed, the agency gives assurance the government is prepared.

02:30 For now, they are not recommending the suspension of classes during the scheduled transport strike.

02:36 George Cahiles, CNN Philippines.

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