The government is not at all threatened with the plan of the transport groups to hold regular strikes if they are not satisfied with the terms of jeepney modernization program, said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Board Member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada.
She explained that as stated in their franchise or their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), transport operators are prohibited from suspending operation as a sign of protest against any government policy or decision.
“They shall face cancellation or suspension of franchise,” said Lizada who led the Joint Quick Response Team in monitoring the transport strike at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters yesterday.
According to Lizada, the LTFRB will hold a hearing on March 8 and 9 with transport operators who participated in the first transport strike held on February 6.
“A show cause order will be issued to all operators, directing them to explain why their franchise should not be cancelled or suspended,” she said.
Based on monitoring at the Metrobase Command Center, Lizada said the transport strike only had “very nil” effect in the metropolis.
“We have transported around 5,840 passengers, equivalent to 292 jeepney trips. Only half of the deployed vehicles to ferry commuters were used,” said Lizada.
Yesterday, traffic flow was smooth along Edsa compared to usual Monday morning traffic because some schools and universities suspended classes.
The strike was held by Piston, Stop and Go Coalition and No to Jeepney Phase Out Coalition protesting the jeepney modernization program of the government, which they believe would pave the way for the phase-out of public utility jeepneys (PUJs). (Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren)