TRANSPORT group Manibela on Tuesday threatened to hold a three-day strike from June 10 to June 12, Independence Day, to protest the looming apprehension of public utility vehicles that have failed to consolidate under the government’s PUV Modernization Program.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena believes the government could not impound unregistered PUVs all at once.
“We will not travel starting June 10 to 12 so that they (government agencies) could feel what they say is 81 percent, especially here in the National Capital Region. We (really) don’t want to do this. We understand that (strike) would be very difficult, especially for our passengers because it is rainy season,” he said.
He said unconsolidated PUVs are not violating any law since they still have valid franchises from the House of Representatives.
During a congressional hearing, lawmakers agreed to allow them to register their units for a year, and that unconsolidated jeepneys be allowed to continue plying their routes to give them time to see the benefits of joining the PUV modernization program, he said.
“It is clear that in the congressional hearing, it was agreed that there is no catch and there is absolutely no violation that you are unconsolidated to impound your vehicles. We are here to remind the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that we have already agreed with Congress that we will be extended for one year. We will (also) be allowed to register so that our colleagues can continue to work,” he said.
