Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) — Regulators said Monday they may file cases against participants of the jeepney strike for violating the ban on stopping operations based on their franchise.
Speaking on CNN Philippines’ New Day, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Board Member and Spokesperson Aileen Lizada said they are listing license plates and routes of jeepneys involved in the strike for possible filing of cases.
“We will ask our legal team to study a possible case against Jun Magno if he proceeds along this line until tomorrow, and possible cases for those who are supporting this transport strike because this is public service,” Lizada said. Magno is the president of Stop and Go Coalition which is leading the strike.
“One of the conditions given by the government to franchise owners is that they should not use their franchise and cease operations– cease their respective operations — as a sign of protest or objection to the government policy or decision,” she added
Jeepney drivers and operators are holding a strike on Sept. 25 and 26 against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Protesters called it a “phaseout” as it replaces jeeps 15 years and older with newer units.
READ: Authorities ready for massive transport strike on Sept. 25-26
At 10 a.m. on Sept. 25, more than a hundred protesters were at the LTFRB central office in Quezon City. They asked for the rehabilitation instead of “phaseout” of vehicles.
Lizada said operators and drivers risk having their franchises cancelled or suspended under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2011-004, which penalizes the “cessation of service as a sign or demonstration of protest against any government decision or action.”
While affected drivers and operators claim their jeepneys remain roadworthy despite their age, Lizada said the government must focus on public safety.
“Let’s just be reminded that government-particularly DOTr (Department of Transportation) – the paramount consideration of this department is the welfare of the general majority, the riding public,” she said.
She added the modernization program has been there for 20 years, and just needs “political will” to proceed.
Lizada said it was “ironic” for Magno to lead the transport strike as he has no franchise and “nothing to lose.”
She denied claims the LTFRB ignored transport groups, adding she called Magno during the National Day of Protest on Sept. 21.
“Yung sinasabi niyang di kami nakikinig sa kaniya [Regarding his claims that we weren’t listening to him], actually when the national protest day was conducted by Piston, I gave him a call… I asked him what happened because previously he already said he supports the modernization program,” Lizada aid.
She said she does not know why Magno changed his mind, but added, other major transport groups such have supported the modernization program after talks with the LTFRB.
A number of jeepney driver and operator groups said last they would not take part in the strike. These include Pasang Masda, ACTO, United Transport Federation of Makati, and others in CALABARZON (cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).
CNN Philippines’ Makoi Popioco and Amanda Lingao contributed to this report.
