MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators joining today’s nationwide transport strike of possible franchise suspension or revocation.
LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said in a statement that a transport strike violates the agency’s Memorandum Circular 2011-004, which states any protest that causes passenger discomfort is a violation of the franchise given by the government to operators.
“They violated the memorandum; they will face the consequences now. We will strictly enforce this order as they did not consider the welfare of the riding public affected by the strike,” Delgra said.
He added that all PUV franchise holders are prohibited to stop operations to join any strike or protest against the government or they may face cancellation of their franchise,” he added.
Department of Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, for his part, said that operators who will join the strike will be held accountable for violating the agency’s circular.
“Their franchise is a privilege, not a right. It is the privilege of the operators to provide their passengers with a comfortable ride. It is the passengers that will suffer because of the transport strike. I hope they will realize that,” Tugade said.
The scheduled strike was organized by members of led by transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization to protest the government’s PUV modernization program./PN
