Transport agencies to conduct random checks of jeepneys’ papers

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz II FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —There will be random checks for jeepneys to see if they are part of a cooperative, according to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz III on Monday.

During a briefing in Malacañang, Guadiz was asked how commuters will be able to differentiate between jeeps that have consolidated and those that have not.

“Initially po, we will have a partnership with the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority). We will have random check noong mga jeepney, titingnan po namin iyong kanilang papeles,” said Guadiz.

The LTFRB chair also said that they will also eventually issue stickers to identify if the jeep is part of a consolidated entity.

According to LTFRB National Capital Region Director Zona Russet Tamayo, the agency has also instructed that drivers are supposed to have their current registration with the LTO and a copy of their unit’s consolidation application.

Tamayo also said that there are possible sanctions for unconsolidated jeeps that will ply the road.

READ: Group to hold transport protest on Jan. 16 vs PUV franchise consolidation

“Titingnan ho natin kung talagang hindi siya nakarehistro, then there’s a sanction for that – may penalties po tayo diyan. Kapag naman ho hindi rin siya naka-consolidate, then may penalties din po diyan under the JAO (joint administrative order) which is being implemented or will be implemented by LTO,” said Tamayo.

READ: Piston to join Manibela’s transport protest vs franchise consolidation

(We will see if they are not registered, then there’s a sanction for that – there are penalties for that. If it did not consolidate, then there are penalties under the JAO, which is being implemented or will be implemented by LTO.)

The deadline for consolidation of jeepney franchises passed on December 31, 2023, much to the dismay of transport groups who have called the government’s modernization program anti-poor.

Transport groups Manibela is set to stage a protest on Tuesday to decry the government’s implementation of the jeepney phaseout.