Transpo strike no effect on traffic, yet—LTFRB

LYN RILLON/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Road traffic has not been affected by the transportation strike on Monday yet, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTFRB made the pronouncement amid a two-day transportation strike starting today in protest of the looming deadline for consolidating franchises under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

READ: LTFRB to provide free rides for commuters affected by April 15 strike

“If we based it on the routinary traffic, the traffic flowed smoothly, passengers boarded continuously, and there were no long queues,” LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement.

Guadiz said rescue buses were also prepositioned in key areas in case of a shortage in vehicles catering to passengers amid the transport strike.

“But as of now, we haven’t seen any need because when we toured some key areas in Metro Manila, there were enough public vehicles available,” he said.

READ: LTFRB reminds PUVs of April 30 consolidation deadline

Rescue buses

Meanwhile, the rescue buses will also be utilized to prevent cases of threats between those participating the strike and those who won’t.

“However, what we are monitoring are the possible actions of those who do not agree with the government program, threatening to throw spikes or intimidate those who do not want to participate in government programs,” Guadiz explained.

“It’s possible that these rescue buses will be used later on if there are attempts to intimidate those who are currently on strike, causing buses or jeeps to be discouraged from traveling due to intimidation. That’s where the rescue buses come in, and we will be assisted by the PNP to maintain peace and order in the area,” he added.

Guadiz previously reiterated that there will be no more extensions in the April 30 consolidation deadline.

He added that after the deadline, the LTFRB would revoke the franchise of noncompliant PUVs following due process.