SC asked: Stop PUV modernization program

THE Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) yesterday brought its fight against the controversial public utility vehicle modernization program from the streets to the legal arena, asking the Supreme Court to suspend its implementation and void government issuances related to the program.

The transport group filed a petition for certiorari and injunction after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently issued a memorandum revoking the permits of unconsolidated PUV operators by January 1, 2024.

No less than President Marcos Jr. has said there will be no extension of the December 31, 2023 deadline for PUV operators to consolidate.

PISTON and the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) have pushed through with their two-week-long transport strike until the end of this month to show their opposition to the PUV modernization plan.

Joining PISTON in filing the 56-page petition were Bayan Muna Partylist coordinator Gaylord Despuez, PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport member Edrich Samonte, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition of Panay member Elmer Forro, and KomYut spokesperson Ma. Flora Cerna.

The petitioners asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Order No. 207-011 (Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance; Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Memorandum Circular 2018-008 (Consolidation of Franchise Holders in Compliance with DO No. 207-11);

LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-084 (Extension of Time to File Application for Consolidation Pursuant to Industry Consolidation of PUVMP); LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2021-021 (Guidelines for the Issuance of Provisional Authority to Units of Individual Operators with Pending Application for Consolidation and those that Failed to File an Application for Consolidation under DO No. 207-11; And LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2023-047 (Guidelines for the Acceptance of Application for Consolidations); and LTFB Memorandum Circular 2023-051 (Allowing Operations of Consolidated Transport