LTFRB: PISTON members joining transport strike could have franchise suspended, revoked

Members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) who will participate in the transport group's planned transport strike from November 20 to 22 could face the suspension or revocation of their franchise, the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday.

“Huwag po sana nilang ituloy ang kanilang balak na strike dahil po unang una, ito ay salungat sa usapan nila sa gobyerno na ang prangkisa ay isang pribilehiyo. Kapag itinuloy po nila ito, posible po na mawala o masuspindi ang kanilang prangkisa,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a press conference.

(We call on them not to proceed with the planned strike because firstly, this is contrary to their agreement with the government that being granted a franchise is a privilege. If they go on with this, they could lose or have their franchise suspended.)

PISTON’s planned strike is in protest of the December 31 deadline for public utility vehicles to enlist in the government’s PUV modernization program.

Dating back 2017, the program aims for public vehicles to have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. 

Drivers and operators, and even state-run banks that could provide loans needed, however, have said that the cost of this modern jeepney, pegged at around P2 million per unit, is not something that drivers and operators could afford.

Guadiz disputed PISTON's claim that the PUV modernization program will phase out old jeepneys.

He stressed that it only requires drivers and operators to consolidate under one cooperative or corporation, which will be the recipient of the franchise, and does not necessarily mandate the purchase of a new PUV unit, provided that the old PUV unit is roadworthy by Land Transportation Office (LTO) standards.

“It just needs to be roadworthy and comply with consolidation. There is no truth that you need to change your vehicle in three, six or nine months [from consolidation],” Guadiz said.

He also said that compliance with the PUV modernization program will only need substantial compliance, meaning application for consolidation, to be compliant with the December 31 deadline.

However, Guadiz also said that the vehicle enlisted under the PUV modernization program will have 27 months to modernize from the date of its application for consolidation.

“That means you will have more than two years or almost three years before you get to modernize. So those reports circulating, those are not true,” he said.

Guadiz said that LTFRB expects the looming transport strike to have minimal to zero impact.

“Based on the data on the consolidated PUVs and I called all of our regional directors, it’s almost zero, wala hong impact iyong sinasabi nilang transport holiday for strike,” Guadiz said in a press conference.

(The transoprt holiday will have no impact.)

“Kaya hindi po namin irerekomenda ang pagsuspend ng klase kasi nung nakaraang strike, mas marami pa pong sasakyan sa daan kasi walang pumasok. Nagreklamo ang mga [PUV] operator, nadagdagan pa ng libreng sakay,” Guadiz added.

(That is why we won’t be recommending suspension of classes because during the last strike, there were in fact an increased number of vehicles on the road due to class suspensions.)

In any case, Guadiz said, the LTFRB is fully prepared for what’s ahead and has already issued special permits to jeepneys which will ply at least 12 routes expected to be affected by PISTON’s strike, mainly in Metro Manila.

Guadiz said that the agency has also secured police assistance to maintain peace and order; will deploy vehicles for free rides; and has tapped local government units for additional vehicles for free rides if necessary.

“We are prepared for any eventuality,” he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News