The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday, October 17, announced they are cancelling the franchises of jeepney operators who joined the two-day transport strike against the jeepney modernization program.
LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Aileen Lozada told reporters the protesters violated a memorandum circular (MC) order dated 2011, which prohibits public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers from joining protests.
MC No. 2011-004 states that “the PUV operator shall not resort to cessation of service as a sign or demonstration of protest against any government decision or action under pain of suspension or cancellation of the authority to operate granted by the Board.”
Hundreds of jeepney drivers across the Philippines joined the two-day transport strike held October 16 to 17, to protest against the replacement of old jeepneys with modern, environment-friendly electric jeepneys.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) denied claims that the program is “anti-poor”, even signing memorandums of agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines to provide loans for PUV cooperatives and individual operators.
According to Lizada, they also received reports of unruly protesters, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience at roads, Rappler reported.
“Nor shall the PUV operator tolerate, allow, or authorize personnel to join others committing acts prejudicial to the riding public, including, but not limited to, paralyzing transport services by intimidation, coercion, or violence,” the LTFRB MC order added.
Senator Grace Poe on Monday, October 16, said modernization should not result in the displacement of jeepney drivers, who often belong to the poor sector.
“Let’s aim for a win-win solution: one that will alleviate the traffic situation, help clean the environment and give productive income especially to the poor sectors of our society.”
Source: senate.gov.ph; Rappler
Photo credit: PISTON/Facebook
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