Jeepney drivers and operators on Tuesday pressed the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the government’s Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP) during a rally in front of the SC Building on Padre Faura St., Manila.
The rallyists, led by MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena, also demanded from the High Court to set oral arguments to hear their side.
He also called on President Marcos to help them since majority of the drivers and operators voted for him and trusted him with their livelihoods, jobs, and the future of their families.
PISTON deputy secretary Ruben Baylon, who also joined the protest action, echoed the call of Valbuena for a TRO.
He said the PUVMP should be cancelled because it was an added burden to the poor drivers and operators because of the franchise consolidation.
“Many had proven that it is a failure. Also, we are all losers here. Drivers are losing their earnings so this should be stopped,” he said.
Under the PUVMP, jeepney drivers and operators must join or form cooperatives. They may also apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.
Jeepney units left unconsolidated into cooperatives since the start of May were considered colorum and banned from plying their routes.
The PUVMP, which dates back to 2017, seeks to modernize the public transportation sector and replace jeepneys 15 years old and older, which are deemed not roadworthy by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) standards.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Suspend PUVMP, jeepney drivers appeal to SC
