Weeklong jeepney strike to push through

MANILA, Philippines — The weeklong transport strike starting on Monday will push through despite concessions from the government extending the deadline for modernization until the end of the year.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said that the transport holiday will continue as long as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) does not revoke its memorandum circular (MC) outlining the consolidation requirements for operators.

“The transport strike continues until our calls to stop the MC are not met,” he said in Filipino in a phone interview.

The transport leader appealed to the public to understand the sector’s woes and brace themselves for longer commutes in the coming week.

However, transport groups are split, with Piston president Mody Floranda and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas president Lando Marquez saying that the strike is no longer needed as the government has already conceded some provisions to the public utility vehicle modernization program.

The LTFRB had downplayed threats to a weeklong strike to protest the board’s MC and said that they have the support of about 90 percent of transport groups.

Still, Valbuena said that they have already garnered massive support for the transport strike, even from those who are members of other transport groups.

He claimed that they have 100,000 units that will join the strike on Monday, 40,000 of which are operating in Metro Manila.

In a Senate hearing, Sen. Grace Poe said she is hopeful that the LTFRB will extend the planned phaseout of traditional jeepneys beyond December.

“I hope it can be extended beyond December… because there are a lot of flaws that need to be fixed and addressed,” Poe said in her closing remarks.

She said there are many issues, such as the lack of route rationalization which should be the most basic.

Fuel subsidies

The government has earmarked P4 billion in fuel subsidies for the transport and agriculture sectors to cushion the impact of high oil prices, the Department of Budget and Management said.

The funds will come from the regular budgets of the Department of Transportation and Department of Agriculture. This year’s allocation is slightly higher than the P2.5 billion fuel subsidy budget in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Valenzuela local government announced that they will be offering free rides for affected commuters amidst the planned strike by PUV drivers on March 6-12, 2023.

Eight trucks will be deployed at four major routes in the city: four trucks to MacArthur Highway Marulas to Malanday, one truck from Malanday to Polo, two trucks from Malinta to Novaliches and one truck from Polo to Monumento.

Online classes

The Ateneo de Manila University has recommended to all of its units to transition to online mode should the transport strike push through beginning March 6.

The university also recommended that all offices transition to online mode and that all employees be allowed to work from home, except those whose work can only be performed onsite.

De La Salle University earlier announced the suspension of in-person classes due to the planned transport strike.

The city government of Angeles, Pampanga issued on Wednesday a directive suspending face-to-face classes at all levels, both in private and public schools, from March 6-10. – Louise Maureen Simeon, Mark Ernest Villeza, Janvic Mateo, Ric Sapnu, Cecille Suerte Felipe