Tribunal pressed to act on petition stopping PUV modernization program

WITH the deadline for franchise consolidation just around the corner, transport groups yesterday pressed the Supreme Court to issue an immediate injunction to temporarily stop the implementation of the controversial Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) being led by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation.

Lilian Sembrano, chairperson of the Negros-based transport group Kabacod-Piston, said she and some of her members decided to go to Manila to join members of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators and allied groups to press their case.

“We decided to go to Manila to show to the Supreme Court that the program will affect not only those who are in Metro Manila)” Sembrano told reporters as she and other transport group members staged a protest action outside the SC main building in Manila.

“Why are they taking that long to come up with a decision,” she added.

Sembrano appealed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the magistrates to come up with a decision on the petition for TRO earlier filed by Piston and allied transport groups before the January 31 deadline set by the LTFRB and the DOTr for franchise consolidation and for PUV drivers to join cooperatives.

“We are appealing to the Chief Justice that a decision be issued before the January 31 deadline,” Sembrano said.

She added that a status quo is needed on the PUVMP issue so that all issues can be fully threshed out.

ISTON national president Mody Floranda said he is hopeful the SC would issue an injunction before the January 31 deadline.

Floranda added they will mount another transport strike to show their continued opposition to the PUVMP, saying they are “just finalizing the exact date.”

PISTON and the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) have staged several transport strikes against the modernization and consolidation plan.