DOTr orders to cancel franchises, licenses of those joining transport strike
On Tuesday, major transport groups No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition and Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide announced that it would hold a coordinated jeepney strike next week. AFP/Noel Celis
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation on Wednesday warned the public utility vehicles operators and drivers that their franchises and licenses might be revoked should they participate in the two-day transport strike in December.
Transport chief Arthur Tugade already instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office to cancel the franchises and licenses of those joining the transport strike on December 4 and 5.
On Tuesday, major transport groups No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition and Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide announced that it would hold a coordinated jeepney strike next week.
Tugade said the government cannot allow the protesters to disrupt public convenience.
“We have invited PISTON to dialogues, but still they insisted on holding strikes. Other transport groups sat down with us and we discussed the program together. Why can’t PISTON do that? I am positive that when they do, they will understand and they will agree that it is time to overhaul the public transportation system,” he said.
Philstar.com sought PISTON for comments but the group is yet to reply to the request.
Malacañang on Tuesday also warned jeepney operators that they might face “legal consequences.”
This is the second two-day transport strike organized by PISTON to protest against the government’s jeepney modernization program. The last transport strike was staged last October, which prompted the government to suspend government work and classes nationwide.
Last September, Stop and Go Coalition also staged a transport strike to protest the government’s call for modernization. The group also joined the October transport strike.
Piston’s move irked President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing the transport group along with other militant groups of conspiring with communists to commit rebellion.
The PUV modernization program seeks to phase out old and dilapidated jeepneys and replace them with high-quality transport systems that are environment-friendly and have greater capacity.
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