Piston, Manibela may join PUVMP – LTFRB

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the two-day nationwide transport strike, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is eyeing to allow unconsolidated jeepney operators to join existing cooperatives.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said the agency aims to include members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) and Manibela in the public utility vehicle modernization program or PUVMP.

The consolidation deadline lapsed on April 30.

Guadiz said jeepney operators may only join existing cooperatives or corporations and may no longer form their own.

Piston and Manibela held a two-day transport strike to call for the reissuance of their five-year franchises that had lapsed.

The government downplayed the transport strike, saying it “had little impact.”

Guadiz said the “stranded” commuters in Metro Manila were usual scenes during morning and afternoon rush hours.

He said the PUVMP would push through as the government has achieved an 83 percent consolidation rate.

Guadiz, however, said the procurement of modern jeepneys would not be mandated until after three years.

With fewer jeepneys on the road yesterday, commuters in Pasig, Manila, Las Piñas and Quezon City waited in long lines for rides. — Christine Boton