The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) urged local government units (LGUs) not to suspend classes on Monday, Nov 20, saying it has prepared well in responding to all the adverse effects of the three-day nationwide transport strike.

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said other government agencies have also committed assistance to assist passengers that may be stranded as a result of the transport strike of Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng Mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) starting on Monday, especially in Metro Manila. 

“All preparations were in place to ensure that the expected transport strike on Monday would not disrupt commuters,” said Guadiz.

Based on the LTFRB assessment, at least 10 routes in Metro Manila will be affected by the transport strike:

1. Novaliches-Malinta (along Gen. Luis)

2. Shelter Ville-Novaliches

3. Bagumbong-Novaliches

4. Deparo-Novaliches

5. Paco-Sta. Mesa

6. Monumento Area

7. Catmon

8. Alabang Area, Baclaran

9. A.Francisco St.- San Andres Bukid

10. NIA-NPC to Mindanao Ave.

Contingency measures 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Nov. 19, the LTFRB said it will deploy around 250 vehicles in various parts of Metro Manila to ensure that all the affected passengers will have sufficient transportation on their way to work, schools and other destinations.

He said the 250 vehicles could accommodate around 10,000 passengers per trip.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said they will deploy around 900 vehicles across the country to assist commuters who may be stranded by the stirke.

She said the deployment will focus in waiting areas of the routes that wouyld be affected.

Fajardo said policemen will also be deployed to secure commuters and PUV drivers.  

For his part, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Don Artes said they will implement measures to mitigate the effects of the transport strike to the commuters.

Part of the plan was the meeting with LGUs in Metro Manila and other government agencies to strategize the deployment of vehicles that will be used for free rides to the affected commuters.

Tuloy ang biyahe

Guadiz told the Manila Bulletin that major transport groups in Metro Manila have already made a commitment that they will not join the three-day nationwide strike. 

He said this is a big help since the transport groups that made the commitment represent almost all of the passenger jeepneys in Metro Manila. 

In Central Visayas, the LTFRB said several transport groups have already committed not to join the transport strike.

The root 

PISTON President Mody Floranda said the transport strike is aimed at protesting the government's insistence on the Dec. 31 deadline for the application for franchise consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Floranda said the recent actions of the national government did not address their main concerns, particularly the demand to repeal the franchise consolidation component of the program and suspend the entire PUVMP.

Pursuing the franchise consolidation, the group said, may only result in the monopoly of a few big fleet managers or corporations who have the necessary capitalization to control PUV route.

Based on PISTON’s data, around 80 percent of all jeepney operators in the country only own one jeepney, the majority of jeepney operators are at risk of being displaced.

PISTON has been calling for the following demands relating to the PUV Modernization Program:

•Scrap the franchise consolidation requirement and allow those who previously complied to withdraw their individual franchises.

•Restore the five-year franchises for all PUVs and all modified PUV routes.

•Provide immediate cash aid and reasonable financial support for all affected PUV drivers and small operators.

•Uphold the right to freedom of association and respect the right to strike.

•Implement a pro-people just transition in public transport modernization anchored on a program of local and national industrialization instead of overly relying on imported vehicles.

Call for a dialogue

Guadiz earlier said that the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation of transport groups into either a cooperative or a corporation will not result in the immediate phase out of traditional jeepneys. 

He said drivers and operators will be given ample time to complete the consolidation process. 

Guadiz also expressed optimism that a constructive dialogue with PISTON's participation in the PUV Modernization Program will prevail as he revealed that 60 percent of the transport groups have expressed their support for this initiative.