Charles Teves
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has cautioned PUV drivers participating in the weeklong transportation strike that they may face administrative and criminal penalties, including revoking their franchises.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) lifted the expanded number coding scheme, also known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, on Monday in anticipation of the strike.
The LTFRB has instructed its regional directors to issue special permits to PUVs to operate outside of their usual routes during the “tigil pasada” protest action this week to ensure that commuters are not affected.
The government has also announced plans to deploy vehicles to areas impacted by the protest, which is expected to occur beyond the National Capital Region.
According to an earlier statement by the MMDA, the LTFRB-National Capital Region has reported that most of the major transport groups in Metro Manila will not participate in the strike.
During a news forum on Saturday, Reinier Yebra, the Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, stated that noncompliance with the conditions of the franchises given to jeepney drivers and operators might lead to administrative sanctions.
“If you are a franchise holder, you have the obligation to give service to the public. If you fail to do it and instead go on strike, it’s as if you violated the conditions of your franchise, [so] that [franchise] can be revoked,” he said.
Those who go on strike, according to Yebra, may face criminal charges if they injure or destroy property. He added, “We want to emphasize that a franchise is not a right, it’s a mere privilege that the state can take back anytime if you do not comply [with the terms]. In other words, there are many mechanisms to protect our commuters both in the criminal and administrative aspects. We’re supported by the law on this.”
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista stated at the same conference that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) would improve the efficiency of PUV operations and create more job opportunities in the transportation industry.
“It should be explained to them that if they consolidate, their organization becomes stronger, their operations will be efficient, the boundary system will disappear, and the drivers will have the proper wages and work proper hours — they won’t be driving 18 to 20 hours a day,” he stated.
Netizens don’t think jeepney operators should be penalized for exercising their rights.
Diktador vibes.
They've a right to protest, mamser. It's your job to find a solution. Hindi sila against sa modernisation, they just need more humane terms. Sana maintindihan nyo yan. https://t.co/dKQtPdM2T1
— E (@MadamHiddles) March 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/joshquising/status/1632560789122080769?s=20
So easy for officials to dismiss protests kasi they are privileged enough to work around the problems they create for this country
Ano bang aasahan natin kina Sara at sa DOTr bigwigs eh malamang di nila kailangan sumakay ng jeep in their daily routines? So out of touch, bwisit.
— janno (@yesnothatthis) March 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/Absolutalbert/status/1632516884133474304?s=20
https://twitter.com/frenchfernande2/status/1632612815390527488?s=20
Manila Taxi and Regional Association spokesperson Samuel Ramos explained that their group is not opposed to the government’s modernization program. However, they emphasized that it needs to be thoroughly examined and, if feasible, legalized first.
On the other hand, the Federation of Free Workers has urged President Marcos to look into the previous administration’s plan to modernize jeepneys.
Based on the situation in their respective areas, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued an advisory instructing regional directors and division superintendents to prepare for in-person and modular distance learning.
On Sunday, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called the week-long transportation strike “communist-inspired” and “pointless” and said classes would not be canceled.
In response to Duterte’s statement, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro stated that government officials should be sensitive to their constituents’ difficulties.
