Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday assured drivers who joined the transport strike on June 24 that they will not be facing any penalties.
“The strike is the right of drivers, this is how they can air their views, their issues, their problems. We are not giving any penalty,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
On Monday, transport group Manibela held a strike to protest the government’ s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and its alleged failure in addressing the sector’s concerns.
The group also claimed that authorities have preferences when awarding jeepney routes.
READ: Manibela temporarily suspends strike, cites commuters’ call for transport amid heavy rains
Bautista said he already asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to submit a report regarding this, which showed the franchises were given to registered cooperatives and corporations.
“I have requested the group to give us a list of those franchises that were given to politicians if they have the documents,” he said.
The transportation chief also reiterated that old jeepneys will still be allowed to ply roads after the December 31 deadline for consolidation as long as they are roadworthy.
He noted that among the benefits of joining a cooperative or corporation is having access to assistance once the government starts to phase out the older jeepney units.
While replacement of older units is part of the modernization program, implementation will still take time since it requires a huge amount of capital, Bautista said.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III earlier told CNN Philippines that the phaseout would happen in two or three years.
Bautista said 40 local manufacturers of modern jeepneys have expressed their support for the program.
