LTFRB threatens to cancel franchise of transport strikers

MANILA, Philippines — Those who joined the transport strike may face suspension or outright revocation of their franchises, a ranking official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.

In a radio interview, LTFRB Technical Working Group chief Joel Bolano said the agency will initiate an investigation of public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators who participated in the transport strike.

“We have people on the ground as well as other agencies. If our people will forward to us information, we can investigate motu proprio and will issue show cause orders against those who joined the transport strike and rally,” Bolano said. “The franchise holders should not remove their vehicles on the streets and they have an obligation to provide services to passengers.”

Bolano said a show-cause order would be issued to the jeepney drivers to explain their side.

At the same time, he said that necessary measures were put in place to minimize the impact of the transport strike. Bolano maintained that PUJ drivers and operators can express their sentiments without resorting to transport strikes. “Nobody is preventing them from expressing their sentiments, that’s their right. What is important is that it does not affect their routes and the commuters,” he noted.

Members of Manibela led the transport strike as the deadline for them to comply with the modernization program of the government was set on Dec. 31, 2023.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena on Monday said the strike of PUJs successfully paralyzed Metro Manila, contradicting the claim of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that the effect was minimal.

“I am confident that here in the National Capital Region, 80 percent of the transport was paralyzed as we also went out, unlike (MMDA acting Chairman Romando) Artes who was only inside his office,” Valbuena said in an interview with The STAR.

Valbuena noted that Metro Manila became a “ghost town” as many residents chose to stay inside their homes to avoid being affected by the transport strike.

He said many local government units (LGUs) decided to suspend classes ahead of the transport strike, adding it was understandable that