Jeepney modernization: Full speed ahead – DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — Militant transport groups could stage strikes and protests all they want, but the Duterte administration’s jeepney modernization program would push through next year, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said yesterday.

Tugade also hit the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide and the “No to Jeepney Modernization” group for making it appear that they were concerned with the public’s welfare in calling off the strike.

“You can do protest actions, but you must follow the law.You can do protest actions, but you must give importance to the benefit of the majority. That’s the essence of democracy,” Tugade told reporters.

“The (jeepney) modernization will push through – the President said so,” he said.

Tugade was at the Senate to brief the committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, on the measures taken by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to address the expected traffic and congestion in the country’s airports this Christmas season.

Poe earlier appealed to PISTON and other transport groups to call off their strike and instead attend the committee hearing this Thursday to discuss the program and clarify matters with Tugade.

Tugade said the protesting transport groups claimed to have called off the strike because of the hearing, but it could be also because of the DOTr’s warning of harsh sanctions against those who violate the law.

“It could be they (transport groups) have their own reasons; it could be they lack people; they were enlightened,” he said.

Poe however postponed the hearing to Monday after Tugade said he has many engagements this Thursday.

Tugade told Poe that he would instead send his subordinates to the hearing, prompting the senator to reschedule the inquiry to Monday when he is available.

“The aim is for him (Tugade) to face the transport groups. He said he’s available on Monday,” Poe told reporters.