PISTON and MANIBELA announced on Thursday that they would hold a nationwide transport strike starting April 15, which is around two weeks before the extended deadline for consolidation ends.
More than 100,000 drivers are expected to participate in the strike, with 30,000 of them based in Metro Manila, MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena said in a press conference.
The two transport groups bared their plan after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that there would be no longer an extension for drivers and operators to form cooperatives under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Related Article: Marcos moves PUV consolidation deadline to April 30
To counter the effects of the transport strike, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would deploy vehicles to assist affected commuters.
”The LTFRB urges those participating in the strike not to prevent other jeepney drivers from making a living, as they need to provide for their families and our commuters,” the LTFRB said.
On January 26, Marcos approved the Department of Transportation’s proposal to extend the consolidation deadline from January 31 to April 30 in order to accommodate those who had indicated a desire to consolidate but missed the initial deadline.
”Jeepney operators are urged to avail of the final extension, as those who fail to consolidate by the deadline will have their franchises revoked,” the LTFRB said.
Asserting that only Congress has the authority to revoke transportation franchises, Valbuena declared that they would continue to operate their routes after April 30.
The government is implementing a PUV modernization program that aims to provide reliable, safe, accessible, adequate, and environment-friendly public road transportation across the country.
The LTFRB said PUVs totaling 190,000 units, including UV Express, PUJs, mini-buses, and buses, have availed of consolidation.
Transport groups have a pending petition before the Supreme Court to declare the PUV modernization program, which they say is costly and threatens their livelihood, unconstitutional.
