Transport group to ply routes while awaiting SC ruling

MANILA, Philippines —  Transport group Manibela said it will continue operations despite non-compliance with the consolidation requirement under the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they are still waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court (SC), thus they will continue to ply the streets.

The transport group said they are only defending their right to make a living that is being prejudiced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

They noted that traditional jeepneys are still roadworthy and that their franchises should be given back by the LTFRB.

The group said they have observed lack of jeepneys and options for commuters since the start of the year due to the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation.

The LTFRB and DOTr have yet to release data on consolidation and the affected routes despite the yearend deadline.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III joined the call for the government to defer the program to allow stakeholders to collaboratively iron out pertinent issues surrounding the PUVMP.

Pimentel agreed that several issues about PUVs consolidation remain unresolved, like the establishment of cooperatives among jeepney drivers and operators and the jeepney routes.

“So suspend indefinitely (the PUVs consolidation). They can say that they will resume it after a certain number of months if they have fixed all the details,” he noted.

Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) yesterday asked the SC to stop the implementation and ultimately void certain government orders related to the PUVMP.

Piston filed a petition for certiorari and injunction questioning the legality of the Dec. 31 deadline set for the PUVMP, and also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent its implementation until the petition is resolved.

The group also asked the SC to declare the order formalizing the modernization plan and circulars for the consolidation as null and void.

The LTFRB earlier gave assurance that there will be no transport crisis and that some reprieve has been given to