Jeepney drivers warned vs joining transport strike

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday warned jeepney drivers who would join the scheduled transport strike on Monday that they could face serious consequences, including the cancellation of their franchises, even as they were reminded that their franchise is a “privilege granted by government.”

“[The coming strike] is a blatant disregard to their duty as an operator. They have responsibilities to their passengers,” said Assistant Communications Secretary Goddes Libiran.

“Franchises issued by government is a privilege and not a right, and may be revoked if they are proven to rescind on their responsibility that they themselves asked from the State,” she said.

Phaseout of old vehicles

Earlier this week, the leaders of the Alyansa Laban sa PUV Phaseout (composed of transport groups Acto, Piston, Stop & Go, and Fuel, among others) said they would stage a nationwide strike as the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program is slated to roll out by 2020.

The program seeks to phase out old, dilapidated PUVs and replace them with ecofriendly, industry-standard units.

The alliance remains unfazed by the DOTr’s warnings even as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board canceled on Friday 20 jeepney franchises—all of Piston members—said to have been involved in the February 2017 strike.