Philippine Transport Workers Protest: 5-Year Franchise Demand Amidst Modernization Push

Philippine Transport Workers Protest Public Transport Modernization Program MANILA, Philippines – On June 6, 2025, transport workers in the Philippines organized a demonstration in Metro Manila to voice their opposition to the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). The protest, led by groups such as Piston, centered on the call to reinstate the five-year individual franchise system for public utility vehicles (PUVs). "We are demanding the return of the 5-year franchise. The current program is financially unsustainable for many of us," stated a Piston representative during the protest. The workers argue that the PTMP's phase-out of older jeepneys is causing financial hardship due to the high cost of upgrading to modern vehicles. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), however, remains committed to the PTMP. A DOTr spokesperson explained that while they acknowledge some issues, the program will continue. The DOTr is collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry to find more affordable modern jeepneys and is working on a route rationalization program to improve efficiency and profitability for drivers. The protest highlights the complex challenges faced by the Philippines in balancing the need for modern public transportation with the economic realities of its transport workers. The ongoing dialogue between the protesting workers and the DOTr will be crucial in finding a solution that addresses both modernization goals and the livelihood of those involved.