Article by Eleana Guron Graphics by Gabriel Angeles
March 1, 2022
Earlier this week, February 27, 2023, multiple transport groups such as MANIBELA and PISTON announced a week-long strike from March 6 to March 12, 2023 in protest against LTFRB MC 2023-013.
The said memorandum states that individual operators of both traditional jeepneys and UV Express will no longer be allowed to continue their operations by June 30, 2023, to give way to the PUV modernization program that would replace the old units. However, they can extend their operations until December 2023 if they join a “consolidated entity” such as a cooperative or corporation.
According to MANIBELA national president, Mar Valbuena, 40,000 combined Traditional Jeepneys and Uv Express vehicles will join the weeklong strike. Previously during a press conference last Feb 6, 2023, Mody Floranda of PISTON explained that many jeepney operators avoid entering into the Modernization program due to the high costs to change vehicles and the possibility of losing their livelihoods upon entering consolidating franchises.
During Monday’s press conference in UP Diliman. The transport groups condemn the LTFRB for “killing” the iconic traditional jeepney, considered a national treasure, and warn of a potential transport crisis if the June 30 deadline pushes through.
Source: Cayabyab, M. J. (2023, February 28). PUJs, UVs to stage weeklong strike. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/.../pujs-uvs-stage-weeklong-strike
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