UNITYWALK Supporters of the federal government’s public transport modernization program stroll from Welcome Rotunda in Quezon Metropolis to Mendiola, Manila, to protest in opposition to a Senate decision calling for this system’s non permanent suspension. —Marianne Bermudez
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not going to droop the general public utility car modernization program (PUVMP) as requested by 22 of 23 senators in a decision they signed final week, in accordance with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The peace of mind got here from LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III throughout a program held by pro-PUVMP transport teams at Mendiola, Manila, close to the Palace gates, on Monday.
“The [PUVMP] will proceed. The President helps this system and this can proceed till the ultimate levels of the modernization program,” he mentioned.
READ: 22 senators need PUV modernization program placed on maintain
“By means of the DOTr (Division of Transportation), your entire nation can rely on the President to assist this system. No suspension will occur. No decision can cease the federal government’s program,” Guadiz added, which was met by cheers from the gang.
This system was held by members of the Angat Kooperatiba at Korporasyon ng Alyansang Pilipino para sa Modernisasyon (Akkap Mo) who staged a “unity stroll” from Welcome Rotunda in Quezon Metropolis at round 6 a.m. to voice their opposition to Senate Decision No. 1096, which urged Mr. Marcos to briefly droop the modernization program over a number of points.
Antiriot officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) stopped the marchers once they reached España Boulevard though they have been later allowed to proceed, with Guadiz himself saying that the group had obtained a allow to proceed to Mendiola.
Heavy visitors
Rains that prompted floods on España Boulevard didn’t deter the marchers, who occupied two of the four-lane busy street, additional worsening visitors circulation within the space.
“That is the 83 p.c of the PUV sector that complied with and embraced the PUVMP. They’re those that paved the way in which for our transport system to be modernized,” Guadiz mentioned of the group.
He additionally joined them as they chanted, “No to suspension of Public Transport Modernization Program!”
In line with the MPD, there have been 500 contributors—removed from the 5,000 to 10,000 folks the group had anticipated. Members of the “Magnificent 7,” composed of the nation’s seven largest transport teams, which had additionally voiced their opposition to the Senate decision, didn’t be part of the protest.
Then again, Manibela (Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Staff at Laborers), a transport group against the modernization program, supplied free rides to commuters in numerous elements of Metro Manila.
In an interview with ABS-CBN Information, Manibela president Mar Valbuena mentioned they’d anticipate a decision from the Home of Representatives additionally calling for the suspension of the PUVMP “to be a louder name to induce President to droop this system.”
Anti-PUVMP protest set
He added that within the coming week, anti-PUVMP transport teams would additionally conduct their very own unity stroll “to face off” with pro-PUVMP teams.
After the April 30 deadline, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista mentioned the consolidation fee underneath this system already reached 83.38 p.c, with the Workplace of Transport Cooperatives accrediting 1,781 cooperatives with 262,870 members.
The federal government is now finishing the Native Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) or the route rationalization part of the PUVMP, which can decide the suitable variety of PUV models to serve a selected route.
In line with Bautista, there are 6,090 consolidated routes and out of 1,574 native governments nationwide, 71 p.c have submitted their draft LPTRPs pending evaluate and approval by the DOTr and LTFRB.
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There are presently 11,165 fashionable jeepneys and different modernized public transport autos working nationwide. There are 80 fashionable PUV fashions being provided by 28 producers and assemblers, of which 58 p.c are regionally assembled by 16 producers.
