Abalos amid week-long transport strike threat: Authorities should observe maximum tolerance

‘KING OF THE ROAD’ NO MORE Traditional jeepneys ply along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, in this 2017 photo. The government has pushed for the modernization of public utility vehicles, leading to the phaseout of the jeepney, the so-called “king of Philippine roads.” —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on Tuesday told authorities to observe maximum tolerance for protesters, after a transport group announced that it will stage a week-long strike starting March 6.

“There should be maximum tolerance kung merong mga ganitong pangyayaring protesta, ‘wag naman sana magkagulo, ‘wag naman sana dalhin pa sa gitna ng kalye, maging tahimik na lang ito,” said Abalos in an interview over ABS-CBN’s Sakto.

(There should be maximum tolerance if there are protests like this, don’t make trouble, don’t bring it to the middle of the street, let it be peaceful.)

Abalos assured the public that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, along with other government agencies and local government units are already ready to offer free rides to commuters affected by the strike.

He also urged stakeholders to conduct a proper dialogue with the government to address their concerns.

The transportation group Manibela on Monday, Feb. 27, announced its plans to stage a week-long strike starting March 6 in protest over the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) Circular Memorandum No. 2023-013, which sets the deadline to phaseout traditional jeepneys on June 30.

The franchise for traditional jeepneys was supposedly set to expire by the end of March nationwide, except for Metro Manila which was until the end of April in accordance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

But the LTFRB on Feb. 23, through a memorandum, extended the deadline by only three months nationwide, and two months in Metro Manila.

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