Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista has asked the transport groups once again to dialogue with the agency amid the groups’ ongoing strike against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Nakikiusap kami dito sa mga gustong sumali sa strike na makipag-usap sa amin. Open naman yung office namin. Baka hindi lang nila naintindihan ang mga issues. Mas mabuti mapag-usapan,” he said during a televised public briefing.
Bautista said that the DOTr is not going to phase out jeepney units by December 2023 but drivers and operators should be consolidated to have access to the government’s assistance for modernization.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III said during a press conference that the agency is amenable to make adjustments to meet the requirements of the groups on strike.
“We are willing to adjust to your needs basta ho ang importante dito tayo ay nagkakaintindihan, that we have one common denominator at ito ay kapakanan ng mga sumasakay sa ating pampublikong sasakyan,” he said.
Transport group PISTON on Monday asked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to suspend the implementation of the PUVMP.
— Ronald Espartinez