President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. vowed to ensure that no driver would lose their job and livelihood under the national government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Speaking before the reporters on Wednesday, the President mentioned the meeting he had with transport groups on Tuesday night at the Malacanang, which, later on, prompted the end of the supposed week-long nationwide transport strike.
"Ang problema na kanilang sinasabi ay baka hindi sila mapautang para makapagbili ng bagong sasakyan kaya't yan ang tinitignan namin ngayon na tiyakin na walang mawawalan ng trabaho dahil hindi nakapagbili ng electric vehicle pagdating ng panahon," Marcos said on the sidelines of his appearance in Quezon City.
"Wala pa tayo doon pero sa ngayon ang ginagawa lang natin tiyakin lang natin na safe ang ating mga sasakyan na hindi malagay sa alanganin ang mga pasahero, ang mga commuter," he added.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), PISTON president Mody Floranda and Manibela leader Mar Valbuena met with PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil, former chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board last night to discuss their concerns.
In a video posted by the PCO, Valbuena and Floranda expressed support for the program in which they reiterated their appeal for the modernization program to continue "in ways where no one gets left behind, just, humane, and reasonable."
Marcos said he told transport groups during the meeting that the government will restudy the modernization program to ensure that drivers and operators will not be burdened.
On Monday, Piston and MANIBELA led the transport strike in several parts of the country in a move to oppose the phaseout of traditional jeepneys and UV express.
This comes despite the prior announcement of an extension in the franchise consolidation of the Land Transportation Franchising Board (LTFRB).
