This photo shows jeepney drivers from PISTON in front of the Supreme Court on April 29, 2024 to assail the implementation of the PUV consolidation program a day before its deadline.MANILA, Philippines — In a last effort to attempt save their livelihoods, jeepney drivers led by transport group PISTON asked the Supreme Court to postpone the implementation of the public utility vehicle consolidation a day before its deadline.
“Ibig sabihin hindi talaga handa ang gobyernong ‘to sa pagpapatupad, kasi at that time, December 31 ang deadline, December 29 naglabas pa sila ng bagong D.O. pero nag-reiterate kami ng motion na i-grant ang TRO,” Neri Colmenares, one of the lawyers of PISTON, said in an interview with reporters. The jeepney drivers said that this program will bring them a financial burden as they will be required to acquire “modern jeepneys” with prices that can reach up to P2.8 million.The first deadline was initially set by the government on Dec. 31, 2023. It was then moved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Jan. 31, 2024.
Citing data from the DOTr, these are the following number of routes that will be affected once consolidation has been implemented, according to the petitioners: If the TRO is granted, however, the memorandum circulars of the DOTr and the LTFRB will temporarily have no effect until the SC decides on the case, according to one of PISTON’s lawyers Kristina Conti.
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