Piston and other groups have filed a petition in the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the government’s PUV Modernization Program and December 31 consolidation deadline, something that will put thousands out of work by 2024.
The group requested a “restraining order” against the aforementioned after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) signed Memorandum Circular 2023-051, which will prohibit unconsolidated jeepneys from operating on January 1st.
“Given the extreme urgency and in order that the petitioners may not suffer great and irreparable injuries, petitioner moves for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and/or a Preliminary Injunction to enjoin the implementation of the assailed administrative issuances,” the petition said.
“This is in order to protect the substantive rights and interests of the Petitioners while the case is pending before the Honorable Court.”
Among those issued by the TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction are the following:
- DOTr Department Order No. 2017-011 (Re: Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance)
- LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2018-008 (Consolidation of Franchise Holders in Compliance with Department Order No. 2017-011, otherwise known as the Omnibus Franchising
- Guidelines (OFG)
Supreme Court suspends PUV modernization, Dec. 31 consolidation deadline
- LTFRB MC 2019-066 (Simplified Process for Applications for Consolidation of Individual and Existing Franchise Holders in Compliance with the PUVMP and the Department Order No. 2017-011 (OFG)
- LTFRB MC 2020-084 (Extension of Time to File Application for Consolidation Pursuant to Industry Consolidation of PUVMP)
- LTFRB MC 2021-021 (Guidelines for the Issuance of Provisional Authority to Units of Individual Operators with Pending Application for Consolidation and those that Failed to File an Application for Consolidation Pursuant to the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) and the Procedure in the Qualification and Selection of Applicant
- LTFRB MC 2023-047 (Guidelines for the Acceptance of Application for Consolidation)
- LTFRB MC 2023-051 (Allowing Operations of Consolidated Transport Services Entities in All Routes with Filed Applications for Consolidation on or before 31 December 2023)
Aside from Piston, the petitioners also include the Bayan Muna party list, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition-Panay, and lawyer Neri Colmenares.
The government is pushing for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) under the PUVMP. Jeepneys and UV Express will have to transition to “modern” minibusses or e-jeeps 27 months after December 31st. The phase-out will begin after this.
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