Piston national president Mody Floranda expressed his intention to engage in discussions with Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena to coordinate their next steps following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm stance on implementing the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). The PTMP has sparked significant controversy, with numerous calls for its suspension, including a Senate resolution supported by 22 senators.
Florida urged President Marcos to reconsider his position and examine the reasons behind the Senate’s resolution. “Ang satin ay dapat pag-aralan mismo ni PBMM kung bakit nagkaroon ng Senate resolution,” Floranda stated. He emphasized that Piston and other transport groups opposing the consolidation of units are actively working to modernize their fleets in a manner they deem fair and reasonable.
To escalate their resistance, Floranda announced plans for a series of nationwide protests, including a potential large-scale transport strike. “Tayo ay maglulunsad ng mga serye ng pagkilos hindi lamang dito sa NCR kundi sa buong bansa, naghahanda tayo sa mas malawak na transport strike sa harap mismo ng Malacanang,” Floranda declared during a rally in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office.
On the other hand, the pro-PTMP transport group “Magnificent 7” expressed their gratitude to President Marcos for upholding the modernization initiative. The group sees the program as essential for improving the country’s public transportation system.
Pasang Masda president Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin, representing the Magnificent 7, voiced concerns over the Senate resolution during a press conference. He explained that cooperatives and corporations backing the consolidation were anxious about the implications of the Senate’s move.
Martin also downplayed the recent three-day transport strike organized by Manibela, describing it as an outdated form of protest. According to him, this method no longer aligns with the current transportation landscape in the country. “Ako ho, namuti na ang buhok ko sa transportasyon. Luma na ho ang tigil-pasada, hindi na po uso yan. Ang uso, ugnayan sa ating pamahalaan,” Martin remarked, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue with the government over disruptive strikes.
As tensions rise between the opposing sides, the future of the PTMP remains a contentious issue, with the potential for further protests and negotiations in the days ahead. Both Piston and Manibela continue to rally support from transport workers nationwide, while the Magnificent 7 urges for collaboration rather than confrontation.