Transport Group Leaders Petition Supreme Court to Uphold Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program
Manila, Philippines – Leaders of several transport groups filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Monday, advocating for the continuation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). This move comes as a counteraction to a lawsuit seeking the suspension of the program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the national president of Pasang Masda Nationwide, Inc. (Pasda Masda), one of the petitioning groups, the intervention is crucial. The other groups involved include the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), and Liga ng mga Transportation at mga Operator ng Pilipinas (LTOP). They are responding to an earlier suit filed by different jeepney groups like Piston, Bayan Muna party-list, and other progressive organizations, which demands the suspension of the PUVMP.
Martin addressed the media, emphasizing that halting the PUVMP would negatively impact the majority of jeepney operators and drivers who have met the program’s requirements. He challenged the notion that the prices of modern jeepneys are prohibitively high, stating, “Sa aming pagtingin ay maraming option na mapapamilian ng units na mas mababa ang presyo na compliant sa pamantayan ng batas (The way we see it, many options are available to buy units at a cheaper price that still comply with the standards set by law).”
Furthermore, Martin expressed his group’s openness to proposals that would include drivers in reorganized transport cooperatives under the Social Security System and other benefits.
This petition arrives just a day before the group Manibela announced their plans to lead a protest against the PUVMP. Manibela and its allies are scheduled to assemble at 9 a.m. at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City, march toward España in Manila, gather at the Mabuhay (Welcome) Rotonda, and then proceed to Chino Roces Bridge (Mendiola) in Manila.