600 rallyists gather at Mendiola, urge gov’t to stop PUV phaseout

Around 600 demonstrators from various groups gathered at Mendiola, Manila on Friday afternoon, Dec. 29, urging the national government to stop the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) phaseout.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said the rallyists gathered to express their opposition to the Dec. 31 compulsory franchise consolidation deadline and the implementation of the jeepney modernization program.

Police said the program started at 12 p.m.

“PUV phaseout, ibasura (scrap the PUV phaseout),” “Laban ng Tsuper, Laban ng Commuter (The Fight of the Drivers, The Fight of the Commuters),” “Modernisasyon para sa Masa hindi sa Kapitalista! (Modernization for the Masses, not for the Capitalists!),” they chanted.

“Alabang, Alabang, Ala bang makikinig diyan? (Alabang, Alabang, Is there anyone listening?),”“Serbisyo sa Pilipino, Wag gawing negosyo (Service to Filipinos, Don’t turn it into business),” “Itigil ang pagmasaker sa mga jeepney driver (Stop the massacre of jeepney drivers),” were some of their messages written on their placards.

During the rally at around 6:18 p.m., the rallyists lit candles and switched on flashlights as part of their program.

The rallyists who joined the rally are members of the Manibela, Piston, Starter-Piston, San-lakas, Oriang, PMCJ, K4K QC, ALMA QC, Samahan ng Mamamayan Zone One Tondo Inc. (ZOTO), KUMU, BMP, Anakbayan, National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates – Youth (Nnara Youth), Anakpawis, Agham-youth, Kalikasan pine.

Also, several leaders and personalities joined the rally, among them are Atty. Neri Colmenares, Atty. Luke Espiritu, Mar Balbuena, Mody Floranda, Danilo Dela Fuentes, Jerome Adonis, Kara Taggao, Lito Ustarez, Arlene Brosas, and France Castro.

MPD said the rally ended at around 6:39 p.m.