Five hundred jeepney drivers staged a protest caravan and transport strike on Monday against the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, forcing some universities to cancel classes.

STREET FURY Jeepney drivers and operators hold a rally along Elliptical Road in Quezon City to protest the jeepney modernization plan. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Metro Manila Development Authority’s transport strike commander Edward Gonzales said passengers were stranded along Commonwealth Avenue and Litex in Quezon City.

The protesters marched from the Quezon City Memorial Circle to Mendiola.

Under the PUV modernization program that was launched in June, the government will replace old units of jeepney with new electronic ones.

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Piston president George San Mateo said the program will affec the livelihood of 600,000 drivers and 200,000 operators nationwide.

Some classes in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon were suspended. Schools that cancelled classes were the De La Salle University (Taft, Makati, BGC campuses in all levels), Adamson University (all levels), San Sebastian College (all levels), Colegio De San Juan De Letran (all levels), Far Eastern University (senior high school) announced suspension of classes.

with  JOVILAND RITA