PISTON urges SC to decide on its petition against PUVMP soon

2 weeks ago

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TRANSPORT group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) — PHILIPPINE STAR/JESSE BUSTOS

A MAJOR transport group for jeepney drivers and operators is asking the Supreme Court (SC) to decide on its petition against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) soon as the grace period for jeepneys to continue plying their routes ends on April 30.

Neri J. Colmenares, legal counsel of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) which filed its petition last December, said the transport sector is pinning hopes on the High Court to issue a tem-porary restraining order (TRO) against the PUVMP.

“Let’s not wait for more small operators to be buried in debt because they were forced to join the consolidation and other unfair schemes of the PUVMP,” said PISTON deputy secretary-general Ruben G. Baylon in a statement.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said earlier this month that the government will be firm in its decision not to extend the franchise consolidation beyond the April 30 grace period.

In urging the SC to render its verdict ahead of the deadline, Mr. Baylon said: “Every day approaching the deadline adds to the worries of poor drivers and operators. We hope the Court understands this, and we appeal to the DoTr (Department of Transportation) and LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) not to impose further threats to our livelihoods.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana