The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking a dialogue with Manibela after the transport group announced that it will be holding a three-day transport strike starting Monday, March 24.
“We recognize that it is within Manibela's rights to make their concerns heard,” the DOTr said in a statement on Wednesday, March 18.
“In view of this, the Transportation Secretary [Vince Dizon] has instructed Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Dioscoro ‘Jojo’ Reyes to conduct a dialogue with the concerned transport groups ASAP (as soon as possible),” it added.
The agency said sitting down for a dialogue will keep commuters safe and comfortable while ensuring that the welfare of jeepney drivers and operators are protected.
On Wednesday, Manibela said the three-day strike is driven by the alleged inaccuracies in the consolidation figures overseen by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The group belied LTFRB’s statement that 86 percent of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers have already consolidated for the government’s public transport modernization program (PTMP).
This assertion was supported by a recent statement from the DOTr chief, where he said only 43 percent of the consolidation figures were actually approved by the LTFRB.
“Rest assured, the Secretary has taken consideration of the concerns of the transport sector to improve the implementation of the PTMP,” the agency stated.
It added that the program’s next steps will be “duly discussed” in the sit-down meeting with the transport group.
If the transport strike pushes through, the DOTr are preparing contingencies to ensure that commuters will not be affected.
The agency said it will work closely with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government units (LGUs) to provide free rides to commuters that may face inconveniences in their travel.
Since the modernization program was first launched in 2017, various transport groups have conducted strikes in protest of the program, citing concerns about the welfare of drivers and operators.
Dizon, who was appointed last month, has emphasized that modernization efforts will push through under his leadership, without upending the livelihoods of those dependent on jeepneys.