Transport group PISTON denounces legislative efforts to amend economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, saying that charter change will not solve poverty nor improve the state of public transport.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Jan. 4 filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 seeking to relax foreign ownership restrictions on certain economic provisions, including ownership to operate public utilities.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a statement said he supports the proposal.
“The constitution hasn’t been amended for decades, yet the government’s dependence on foreign investments has been causing difficulties in the transport sector. A stark example is the excessive importation of minibuses,” said PISTON National President Mody Floranda.
PISTON said the nation’s hindered progress is not caused by constitutional restrictions on foreign investments and ownership.
“Charter Change (ChaCha) won’t fix the state of public transport,” Floranda said. “In fact, Filipinos themselves suffer when the Marcos government repeatedly sells public services such as public transport to foreign and imperialist interests.”
Japanese automotive giant Toyota Motor Corp. has committed to invest in the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Foreign financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have provided loans and investments in the PUVMP. For PISTON, the costs of these foreign investments are to be paid for by Filipino workers, local manufacturers, drivers, operators, and commuters.
“How can we trust the motives of the Marcos government in amending the Constitution when they need to buy votes to push for it?” Floranda said.