LTFRB chief warns drivers joining transport strike

Jeepney drivers who will violate the law in joining the transport strike could face penalty, including revocation of their franchise, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III said.

“Mag-isip isip ho kayo. Baka pagkatapos ng inyong tigil pasada, matigil na talaga ang inyong pamamasada. ...Mananagot ho sila sa LTFRB,” Guadiz said on a "24 Oras" report by Joseph Morong on Friday.

Transport group MANIBELA earlier announced plans to hold a three-day strike, which will coincide with the president's State of the Nation Address on July 24.

The group says its drivers have been deprived of routes by local governments and corporations under the government's route rationalization plan.

The PUV modernization program requires traditional jeepney drivers to form cooperatives or corporations, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will provide the cooperatives with routes.

Guadiz said commuters need not worry about the impact of the transport holiday as the seven other transport groups will not participate.

He reminded drivers who are planning to join the strike of their obligations being franchise holders.  He said their actions should not jeopardize public transportation.

He said the LTFRB is trying to address the complaints raised by MANIBELA on the jeepney routes.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista will lead a meeting next week with concerned agencies and transport groups to discuss how to deal with the possible impact of the strike.

Mar Valbuena, president of MANIBELA, said the strike will push through.

"Kung mare-revoke kami , sususpend kami, madadagdagan yung public utility vehicle na mawawala sa kalsada at walang masasakyan lalo ang taong bayan," he said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News