Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) — A transport group on Tuesday dared the government to cancel the franchise of jeepney drivers and operators who joined the first day of the strike on Monday.
Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena made the statement after Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said they plan to file administrative cases against those who joined the protest and abandoned their routes.
“Subukan nila kung bawiin nila (ang prangkisa) ngayon at ‘wag ng pumasada ‘yung mga sumama sa transport strike, ano pong mangyayari? Mas maraming Libreng Sakay ilalabas nila at wala pong masasakyan ang taong bayan,” Valbuena told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: If they cancel our franchise now and not let those who joined the strike ply the roads, what will happen? They will need to provide more Libreng Sakay units and people will have no rides.]
Several groups started their planned week-long strike on Monday to protest the phaseout of traditional jeepneys and the mandatory consolidation of franchises, which are part of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Valbuena downplayed LTFRB’s alleged scare tactics. He also pointed out that participants ply the roads early in the morning and join the strike in the afternoon.
“Matatakot pa po ba kami kung babawiin na nga po yung prangkisa namin at ipe-phase out kami. Kaya nga po inagahan na namin ito na iparating sa kanila kung ano yung mangyayari ‘pag dumating ‘yung deadline,” he said, referring to the Dec. 31 franchise consolidation deadline.
[Translation: Should we still be scared if they cancel our franchise and phase out our jeepneys. We did this now to show them what will happen when the deadline comes.]
He also questioned the statement made by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, who described their protest action as “communist-inspired.”
“Kung kami ay nire-red-tag, sige, karapatan ho din nila ‘yan na i-voice out pero dapat may kongkreto (ebidensya).]
[Translation: It is their right to red-tag us, to voice out their opinion, but they should have concrete evidence.]
