Manibela to push through with transport strike despite LTFRB warning

Transport group Manibela will push by way of with their transport strike in opposition to the PUV modernization program regardless of warnings of attainable revocation of their franchise.

According to a ”24 Oras Weekend” report by Bernadette Reyes on Saturday, Manibela will maintain their strike from July 24 to 26 towards the December 31 deadline for the consolidation section of the PUV modernization program.

The transport strike will coincide with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address on July 24.

On Friday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III stated jeepney drivers who violate the regulation by becoming a member of the transport strike may face penalties, together with revocation of their franchise.

“Kahapon po tinuldukan na ni Secretary (Jaime) Bautista na hanggang December 31 na lang po talaga kami kaya ano pa ‘yung kailangan namin ikatakot doon?” stated Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena.

(Yesterday, Secretary Bautista stated that we solely have till December 31, so what else do we have now to concern?)

Manibela stated they’re hoping for Marcos to favor the continued operation of conventional jeepneys.

“‘Yung hinihingi natin sa Pangulo na siya na po mismo magsabi sa kaniyang Secretary na ‘yung aming prangkisa ay maibalik sana sa limang taon,” Valbuena stated.

(We are asking the President to inform his Secretary to return our franchise validity to 5 years.)

Manibela stated conventional jeepneys are being phased out as those that shifted to modernized models have already incurred losses.

It cited knowledge displaying that out of about 300,000 jeepneys within the nation, solely 6,000 had been modernized.

The Office of Transportation Cooperatives is open to dialogue with Manibela.

The OTC maintained that it had defined the PUV modernization program to completely different drivers and operators throughout the nation.

“There is still time to discuss finding a solution,” stated OTC chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega. — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News