LOOK: Senatorial bet Floranda consults Nueva Ecija transport coops

Makabayan senatorial candidate Mody Floranda met with transport cooperatives, tricycle operators and drivers in Guimba, Nueva Ecija on February 18, 2025. (Photos courtesy of Makabayan)

MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan senatorial candidate and Piston national president Mody Floranda called for a progressive transport industry as he met with transport cooperatives in Guimba, Nueva Ecija as part of his election campaign.

Floranda said the local transport cooperatives raised concerns over the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, citing financial burdens.

“P10,000 araw-araw ang binabayaran nila sa nag-iisang may-ari ng prangkisa ng ruta sa sistemang pensyon. Samantala, nakapatong pa dito ang P55,000 kada buwan na kailangan nilang bayaran kada modern unit,” Floranda said in a statement on Wednesday.

(They pay P10,000 daily to a single franchise owner under the pension system, on top of the P55,000 monthly fee for each modern unit.)

“Patunay ito na huwad at negosyo ang modernization program. Sapilitang inihulog sa kumunoy ng utang at dagdag-bayarin ang mga operator,” the senatorial candidate said.

(This proves that the modernization program is deceptive and profit-driven. Operators are being forced into debt and additional expenses.)

READ: Cooperatives and PUV modernization

Floranda also noted that tricycle operators and drivers in Guimba are struggling with fluctuating fuel prices.

“Mabigat ang halos P70 per liter na presyo ng gasolina para sa mga tricycle drivers ng Guimba,” he noted.

(The nearly P70 per liter price of gasoline is a heavy burden for tricycle drivers in Guimba.)

“Idagdag pa dito ang nalalapit na banta rin ng phaseout sa mga tricycles na isiningit sa loob ng Magna Carta for Tricycles,” he added.

(On top of this, there is the looming threat of a tricycle phaseout, which was inserted into the Magna Carta for Tricycles.)

READ: House OKs magna carta for tricycle sector

“Ang gusto lang naman natin ay sapat na kita sa araw-araw. Pero hinuhuthutan tayo ng mga malalaking negosyo at monopolyo. Monopolyo sa langis, at malalaking vehicle manufacturer ang nakikinabang,” Floranda explained.

(We only want a fair daily income, but big businesses and monopolies are exploiting us. The oil monopoly and large vehicle manufacturers are the ones benefiting.)

Floranda, a long-time transport leader, said his platform aims to address the transport sector’s long-standing struggles through progressive, nationalist and mass-oriented policies.

“Nakapaloob dito ang rehabilitasyon ng mga pampasadang sasakyan sa halip na phaseout, at pagre-regulate at pagsasabansa ng industriya ng langis,” he explained.

(This includes rehabilitating public utility vehicles instead of phasing them out, as well as regulating and nationalizing the oil industry.)