Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista yesterday said the department will launch a crackdown on public utility vehicles whose franchises have expired or operating without them.
Bautista said that the franchises of jeepney operators who have not registered under the Public Vehicle Modernization Program are considered revoked.
The Transport chief issued the warning after the militant driver’s group Manibela launched a surprise strike in some parts of Metro Manila to protest the government program.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said “this event of ours today, these are protest centers where the drivers and operators are together — those who have a closed route.”
He clarified their activity was not yet the scheduled nationwide strike set for Aug. 14 until Aug. 16.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier reaffirmed his stance to push through with the modernization program despite a Senate appeal to suspend its implementation.
“I hope the President will listen. He is not one-sided. We are a poor minority, he will ignore us. I hope our President will read the Senate resolution. He should not be based on the 80 percent that has been consolidated,” Valbuena said.
The President’s rejection prompted Manibela to organize the three-day transport strike.
At a forum in Quezon City, Mody Floranda, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president, said they would support Manibela and join the three-day transport strike.
“Piston will continuously fight against the alleged fake jeep modernization program and the protests will continue in different parts of the country,” he said. He said jeepney operators could not afford to acquire brand-new modernized units.
