PISTON: No plan to extend strike beyond Monday

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups with Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) had no plans to extend their nationwide strike to protest a government plan to phase out old jeepneys beyond Monday, March 19, PISTON president George San Mateo said.

"Wala pong transport strike bukas. Gaya ng ating inihayag sa media at publiko nung Marso 14 press conference at kanina sa press conference ay isang araw po ang strike na ating isinagawa ngayong araw March 19," he said on his Facebook page. 

(There is no transport strike tomorrow as we announced to the media and the public in our March 14 press conference and earlier at the press conference, the strike is for one day only)

San Mateo has repeatedly said the group does not oppose the modernization of public utility vehicles, but added that operators and drivers could not afford to purchase new units.

At earlier hearing in Congress, other transport group leaders also worried about how the modernization program will affect single-unit operators who might not qualify for government assistance. They said the loans favor big operators, transport companies and cooperatives.

READ: Why some transport groups oppose PUV modernization

The government earlier vowed to provide assistance to transport drivers and operators. It said that the modernization would be implemented to make vehicles environment-friendly to passengers.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Board Member Aileen Lizada earlier warned operators and jeepney drivers who are joining the transport strike that their licenses may be canceled.