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LTFRB to cancel franchises of operators who joined 2-day transport strike


The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it would cancel the franchises of the jeepney operators who joined the two-day transport strike.

According to a Balitanghali report by Maki Pulido, LTFRB spokesperson Attorney Aileen Lizada said transport operators are barred from suspending operations under the terms and conditions of their franchise.

The report said Lizada and other LTFRB officials took photos of the jeepneys that joined the nationwide transport strike since Monday.

Lizada also pointed out that the strike has no impact on the public, adding that they only dispatched 13 out of their 74 emergency vehicles to give aid to affected commuters.

The LTFRB official also reiterated that the modern jeepneys, which was priced between P1.2 million to P1.6 million per unit, is "affordable" and that the government is ready to provide subsidy for its modernization program.

Meanwhile, the report said some jeepney drivers and operators who joined the strike are urging those who still continue operations to come and protest with them.

George San Mateo, national president of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), claimed that the transport strike was successful, prompting the government to suspend classes and government work.

On Monday, PISTON also said the first day of its transport strike had paralyzed 90 percent of Metro Manila and all other areas in the country.

The LTFRB, on the other hand, said the transport strike had almost no impact, noting that the public transport system was not paralyzed.

The transport group opposes the modernization program calling it a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the purchase of newer, more expensive models. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News

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