Manibela to push through with transport strike despite LTFRB warning

Transport group Manibela will push through with their transport strike in opposition to the PUV modernization program despite warnings of possible revocation of their franchise.

According to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Bernadette Reyes on Saturday, Manibela will hold their strike from July 24 to 26 against the December 31 deadline for the consolidation phase of the PUV modernization program.

The transport strike will coincide with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address on July 24.

On Friday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III said jeepney drivers who violate the law by joining the transport strike could face penalties, including revocation of their franchise.

“Kahapon po tinuldukan na ni Secretary (Jaime) Bautista na hanggang December 31 na lang po talaga kami kaya ano pa ‘yung kailangan namin ikatakot doon?” said Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena.

(Yesterday, Secretary Bautista said that we only have until December 31, so what else do we have to fear?)

Manibela said they are hoping for Marcos to favor the continued operation of traditional jeepneys.

“‘Yung hinihingi natin sa Pangulo na siya na po mismo magsabi sa kaniyang Secretary na ‘yung aming prangkisa ay maibalik sana sa limang taon,” Valbuena said.

(We are asking the President to tell his Secretary to return our franchise validity to five years.)

Manibela said traditional jeepneys are being phased out as those who shifted to modernized units have already incurred losses.

It cited data showing that out of about 300,000 jeepneys in the country, only 6,000 were modernized.

The Office of Transportation Cooperatives is open to dialogue with Manibela.

The OTC maintained that it had explained the PUV modernization program to different drivers and operators across the country.

“There is still time to discuss finding a solution,” said OTC chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega. — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News