Led by various student bodies from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the College of Communication (COC) joined the protest action opposing jeepney phaseout with transport workers from Cubao-Divisoria Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on March 6 and 7 along Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City.
Despite police harassment in the event, collective campaigns from PUP progressives have mobilized a program campaigning for an inclusivity-driven revision of the public utility vehicles modernization program (PUVMP) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) during the nationwide transport strike kickoff. Leading the student representation at the two-day protest, COC Student Council (COC SC) President Ronjay Mendiola emphasized that besides being a learner, students are also affected by the country's transportation issues as daily commuters and future labor workers. “Hindi matatali ‘yong buhay ng mga estudyante sa pagiging estudyante lang dahil lalabas at lalabas sila sa akademya para magtrabaho at kumita ng pera,” said Mendiola. “Kung ganito 'yong dadatnan nilang kahirapan paglabas nila ng academe, mas kailangan nating tumindig bilang mga estudyante—kasama no'ng sektor ng mga manggagawang tsuper. Kung hindi natin sila ipaglalaban ngayon, panigurado [na] tayong mga nasa eskwelahan ngayon, paglabas natin sa pamantasan natin, tayo rin ‘yong mahihirapan,” he asserted. Anakbayan COC Vice Chairperson Danielle Kuan also reiterated that COC students, as future media practitioners, must lead the frontline of dispersing information and raising the grievances of various sectors, especially transport workers, to be heard in the community. “Bilang mga susunod na alagad ng midya, mahalaga na tayo ‘yong manguna sa pagpapaultaw, sa pagpapalabas ng impormasyon, balita, at mga nangyayari sa loob nung mga strikes na nagaganap,” said Kuan. “Dapat tayo 'yung mga nangunguna upang tulungan ‘yong mga manggagawa natin, ‘yong mararalitang sektor na ipaglaban ‘yong karapatan nila sa maayos, matiwasay, at mapayapang hanapbuhay.” Meanwhile, Cubao-Divisoria PISTON President Eddie Mabazza and Secretary Mary Ann Collado expressed their gratitudes to PUP students and organizations who participated in the protest and fought along their demands amid the transportation crisis. “Sa mga kabataang kasama namin ngayon, malaki ang pasasalamat ko. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob ‘yong mga kasamahan naming driver kasi ang karamihan sa kanila ay hindi pa namumulat kung ano ‘yong kalagayan talaga ng PISTON at asosasyon,” said Mabazza. “Sa isang daang miyembro namin, napakasaya ng mga driver-operators namin na makita kung gaano kasigla ang pagwewelga; kung paano ipakita ng mga estudyante ng PUP ‘yong paglaban sa mga hindi tamang ginagawa sa mga driver,” added Collado. With insufficient subsidies for the transport sector, Cubao-Divisoria PISTON demands the state to amend the “anti-poor” implementation of PUVMP grounded by their incapabilities of modernizing traditional jeepneys with a cost of P2.8 million per operator until the extended deadline on December 31. After the dialogue of PISTON national president Mody Floranda and Manibela Transport Group chair Mar Valbuena with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Cheloy Garafil and Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) undersecretary Roy Cervantes, the transport strike was already lifted on Tuesday, March 7. Graphics: Cathlyn de Raya
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