The transport strike initially set to last until Saturday ended Wednesday, March 8, after transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA resumed operations following a meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday night.
MANIBELA National President Mar Valbuena said the resumption of all public utility vehicles (PUV) operations is a result of their dialogue with Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
“Ang napag-usapan doon ay pag-aaralan nila ‘yung nilalaman ng [PUV modernization program] at ‘yung panukala nila na kung sino may gusto ng kooperatiba itutuloy, kung sino ang may gusto ng single franchise ay hayaan na lang,” Valbuena said.
“Kasi kung wala pa naman route rationalization, bakit kailangang madaliin ang pagko-consolidate?” he continued.
He said roadworthy traditional jeepneys will stay.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the decision of the groups.
He ordered the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to use the Dec. 31 deadline for the consolidation to review the provisions of the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines for the PUV modernization program.
He said these should not become a burden for transport workers and no operator or driver should be left behind by modernization.
MANIBELA said it is ready for a dialogue with the LTFRB.
Meanwhile, PISTON said it will not stop until the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines are removed. AG/Report from Karen Villanda – gb
