LTFRB calls for talks as Piston sets Jan. 24 protests

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is willing to hold talks with transport groups opposed to the government’s modernization program.

Aileen Lizada, LTFRB board member and spokesperson, made the statement after Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) announced that it would hold a transport strike and simultaneous rallies at LTFRB offices nationwide on Jan. 24.

“We are open to dialogue. They should talk to us and not resort to these rallies which only inconvenience the people. They should listen to us because the information they have about modernization is wrong,” she said.

Lizada stressed that the franchise given to PUJ operators and drivers prohibited them from holding protests.

She also said the government’s “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” campaign would continue as taking old and smoke-belching PUJs off the streets was part of the modernization program.