LTFRB to cancel franchise of transport strikers
By J.Lo

โWe have people on ground as well as other agencies…if our people will forward to us information, we can investigate motu proprio and will issue show cause ordersย against those who joinedย ย transport strike and rally,โ Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Technical Working Group chief Joel Bolano said โfranchise holders should not remove their vehicles onย ย streets and they haveย ย obligation to provide services to passengers.โ
Those who joined transport strike may face suspension or outright revocation of their franchises, ranking official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said .
Bolano said agency will initiate investigation of public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators who participated in transport strike.
Bolano said show-cause order would be issued to jeepney drivers to explain their side.
At the same time, he said necessary measures were put in place to minimize impact of transport strike. Bolano maintained PUJ drivers and operators can express their sentiments without resorting to transport strikes. โNobody is preventing them from expressing their sentiments, thatโs their right. ..what is important is it does not affect their routes and commuters,โ he noted.
Members of Manibela led transport strike as deadline for them to comply with modernization program of government was set on Dec. 31, 2023.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said strike of PUJs successfully paralyzed Metro Manila, contradicting claim of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) effect was minimal.
โI am confident that here in National Capital Region, 80 percent of transport was paralyzed as we also went out, unlike MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes who was only inside his office,โ Valbuena said in interview with media.
Valbuena noted Metro Manila became โghost townโ as many residents chose to stay inside their homes to avoid being affected by transport strike.
He said many local government units (LGUs) decided to suspend classes ahead of transport strike, adding it was understandable that officials downplayed impact of strike.
He claimed that aside from Metro Manila, many jeepney drivers also joined transport strike in provinces. He noted he is no longer interested in dialogue being organized by Malacaรฑang after scheduled meeting did not push through on Sunday.
Valbuena said suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III should not be reinstated after FMJ ordered his suspension amid corruption allegations against him.
According to Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, fewer passenger jeepneys were observed on following routes: San Juan-Divisoria; Nagtahan-Paco; Balic-balic-Quiapo; San Andres-Padre Faura and Zobel Roxas-Paco.
Local government sent vehicles like trucks to carry stranded passengers on routes, as well Blumentritt-Novaliches, Divisoria-Cubao and Morayta-Divisoria.
Among those who joined protest and did not drive their passenger jeepneys were 286 members of San Andres Bukid Jeepney Drivers and Operators Association, affiliated with Manibela.
Despite issues, Artes downplayed Manibelaโs transport strike, maintaining it succeeded in getting attention instead of paralyzing public transport.
Despite numerous declarations of class suspensions and shift to remote classes, Artes also asserted government was not threatened by Manibelaโs jeepney strike and even offered free rides.
He also appealed for understanding from motorists after agency did not suspend number coding scheme .
Quezon City government deployed additional buses to provide free rides to those affected by transport strike..
Aside from additional buses operating on eight routes of Q City Bus service, several local offices also deployed various vehicles to provide free transport. These included e-trikes from QC Department of Public Order and Safety, as well as vehicles from Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and different barangays.
Local government did not impose city-wide suspension of classes, citing recommendation from relevant offices, including Schools Division Office and QCPD. It allowed private schools and colleges to decide on whether to impose class suspensions due to transport strike.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deployed on Monday its patrol vehicles to offer free transportation services to commuters affected by nationwide public transport strike.
Total of 88 patrol vehicles from several police districts had been deployed. Meanwhile, around 17 vehicles, including two trucks and two buses from NCRPO, were mobilized to assist affected commuters.
Aside from patrol vehicles, total of 2,245 NCRPO personnel were deployed at different pickup and drop-off points to respond to adverse situations.
Several LGUs in southern Metro Manila were prompted to suspend classes due to nationwide public transport strike.
LGUs of Pasay and Paraรฑaque suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in public and private schools. All classes were instructed to shift to online or modular learning.
In Las Piรฑas, both onsite and online classes at all levels were suspended in public and private schools.
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City government provided free transportation services to commuters affected by nationwide public transport strike.
Free transportation services were provided from 5 in the morning to 9 in the evening. on major thoroughfares in the city, which did not announce class or work suspension.
Similarly, LGU of Taguig also did not implement city-wide suspension of work and classes after several transport groups in city confirmed they will not be joining strike.
In Makati, city government did not suspend work and classes.
Philippines needs to modernize countryโs public transportation to lessen its dependence on imported fuel, reduce pollution and fight climate change, FMJ said .
FMJโ remark came as transport group Manibela pushed through with its strike to oppose governmentโs Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
โConsidering our continued dependence on imported fuels and volatility of oil products in world market, it is only sensible we encourage shift to electric vehicles,โ President said at the launch of Dongfeng Motors Philippinesโ hybrid and electric vehicles in Ortigas, Pasig City.
โWe not only get savings in fuel and gas, but also significantly lessen our greenhouse gas emissions and champion sustainability in our day-to-day activities,โ he said.
LTFRB maintains Dec. 31 deadline in connection with PUV Modernization Program, where jeepney drivers and operators are required to join cooperatives or corporations, with ultimate goal of replacing traditional jeepneys with environment-friendly vehicles.








