Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 29) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will issue a show-cause order to at least 20 public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators who joined a surprise transport strike in Angeles City, Pampanga on Tuesday.
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz claimed that protesters paralyzed the Angeles-Mabalacat route, and they also received reports that there were drivers who were harassed for not participating in the strike.
“A franchise is a property of the state, that if you commit a violation, we will get your franchise, we will suspend you, we will revoke your franchise,” Guadiz said in a press briefing.
Transport groups are looking into conducting another nationwide strike to protest the PUJ franchise consolidation, Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said Tuesday.
LTFRB executive director Bob Peig said traditional jeepney operators who will submit their intent to consolidate by Dec. 31 will be issued with another provisional authority to operate valid for one year.
Once they finish their consolidation process, the LTFRB will issue a consolidated franchise to the cooperative or corporation which is valid for five years.
When all the fleets of a corporation or a cooperative are already modernized, the LTFRB will issue a franchise good for seven years.
