MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela has rejected the government’s peace offering and will not join the modernization program despite the consolidation extension until next month.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said the group will not consolidate despite the reopening of consolidation until Nov. 29.
He said the extension shows the failure of the modernization program supervised by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The extension, he said, shows their data is fake and they are simply deceiving President Marcos.
Valbuena claimed that social security benefits are being used as bait for operators even if they do not want to join the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).
The benefits include the fuel subsidy and the Libreng Sakay program, wherein only consolidated and modernized units will be allowed to join.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said traditional jeepneys are still eligible for the fuel subsidy.
However, the program prioritized modern jeepneys, which will receive P10,000. Traditional jeepneys will receive P6,000.
Valbuena said there have been cooperatives that have filed applications to withdraw but have not been allowed to do so by the LTFRB.
Guadiz said the reopening of the consolidation is a concession to the Senate resolution that sought the suspension of the PUVMP pending resolution of issues and concerns.
Guadiz earlier said they aim to include members of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela in the PUVMP, two of the groups that have been holding protest actions against the program.
The LTFRB chief said the government has already achieved an 83 percent consolidation rate.