No suspension of work, classes during PUJ strike

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no suspension of classes, work and number coding during the transport protest that groups opposed to the government’s public transportation modernization scheme will hold today, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.

The number coding scheme or unified vehicular volume reduction program will not be lifted since the transport group Manibela said it would hold protest programs instead of a strike, the agency said.

Romando Artes, MMDA acting chairman, yesterday also gave assurance that the government is “preparing for any eventuality.”

“We didn’t recommend the suspension of classes or work because we are ready to augment (vehicles) in case there will be disruption in public transportation,” Artes said during a media briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications Office at Malacañang.

“We will monitor the situation as early as 5 a.m. In case there is disruption in public transportation, we will augment. We have already notified various local government units (LGUs) to be prepared,” he added.

Artes also clarified that the MMDA and LGUs in Metro Manila would not “indiscriminately” deploy vehicles to offer “libreng sakay” or free rides to possible stranded passengers so as to avoid competition with jeepney drivers not joining the protests.

He cited the government’s experience in last year’s strikes by transport groups Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or Piston where only a few passengers were reported stranded.

The Manila city government, according to its spokesperson Princess Abante, is prepared to assist passengers who might get stranded today.

Abante added that the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau and Manila Police District would be “monitoring the various routes and provide libreng sakay for commuters for the duration of the protest.”

Mar Valbuena, Manibela president, said 10,000 to 15,000 members of Piston and Manibela and other groups will join today’s protest action.

Mody Floranda, Piston president, yesterday said the unconsolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs) would continue to operate after the Jan. 31 ultimatum set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation to have their units consolidated.

“No less than the House committee on transportation said that the LTFRB has no authority to change the franchises. Our franchises came from the provision of RA 4136, compared to the provisional authority from the executive order 2017-011. According to the panel’s chairman, (Antipolo) Rep. (Romeo) Acop, the LTFRB has no right to remove the franchises of public transport,” Floranda said.

He added that lawyers are ready to help the unconsolidated PUJs once the crackdown starts on Feb. 1.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB would issue stickers to easily identify PUJs that complied with the consolidation of franchise under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said during a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday that the unconsolidated PUJs would be considered “colorum” beginning February.

“We will check their documents. Eventually, we will be issuing stickers similar to what the LTO issues so we can determine if the jeepney is a member of a consolidated entity,” Guadiz said.

The LTFRB also assured commuters there would be sufficient public transport vehicles, at least in Metro Manila, with 97.18 percent of registered PUJ units having consolidated in 2023.

“We have coordinated with the MMDA as well as with different LGUs in case there would be a need (for additional PUV). But right now, we have mapped out NCR and we already determine that there will be sufficient supply,” said LTFRB-National Capital Region director Zona Russet Tamayo.

Also yesterday, the consolidated transport groups Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburb Drivers Association Nationwide, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas filed a motion for intervention before the Supreme Court to express their opposition to the petition for certiorari and injunction filed by Piston.

They expressed their support for the PUVMP, saying it is not only beneficial to the drivers and operators but will also improve services for the riding public.

“We are hoping that the Supreme Court will hear our motion and consider our opposition to the petition,” the pro-PUVMP transport groups said. — Bella Cariaso, Helen Flores