LTFRB to run after harassing jeepney drivers during transport strike

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Monday said it will run after drivers and supporters of the transport strike caught harassing other jeepney and tricycle drivers.

In a Balitanghali interview, Atty. Aileen Lizada, LTFRB board member, said they received reports of harassment allegedly perpetrated by the participants of the transport strike.

“We got reports na hina-harass, tinatapunan ng bato sa C5-BCDA area,” Lizada said.

“Some of the PISTON [Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide] supporters were harassing jeepneys in Philcoa, Monumento to Balintawak, Katipunan, EDSA Cubao, Commonwealth-Litex, Samson Road-Letre, and EDSA Monument. Kahit 'yung mga tricycle, hinaharang nila,” she added.

Lizada said they already have the plate numbers of those who supported the transport strike.

“Rest assured the LTFRB will do the necessary action to put order and to discipline the PPC holders ng mga PUJs,” Lizada said.

“Respetuhin din po nila 'yung karapatan ng iba na maghanapbuhay. 'Yun lang ang kailangan natin dito,” she added.

If the actions of these drivers are proven, the LTFRB may suspend or cancel the franchises of their jeepneys, following Memorandum Circular 2011-004, Lizada said.

Commuters complained of difficulty getting rides on Monday due to the transport strike.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority suspended the number coding scheme for all public utility vehicles on Monday to meet the demand of commuters for rides.

Transport group Stop and Go Coalition last month said it expects that about 74,000 jeeps and thousands of UV Express vehicles nationwide would participate in the transport strike, which aims to protest the government's order calling for the modernization and phase out of dilapidated jeepneys.

The group said the draft of the department order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will deprive many drivers and operators of their livelihood.

It added the draft order was made without consultation.

However, Lizada noted that there were no reported transport strikes in other places outside Metro Manila.

“From all the regional offices po, all our reports sa regional offices except for one, sa Bulacan, wala pong tigil-pasada in the Regional Franchise and Regulatory Offices,” Lizada said.

Moreover, Lizada clarified that the protesting transport group’s definition of phaseout is different from theirs.

“We would like to refer to it as modernization program po. Kasi tignan niyo, nag-phase out tayo sa buses. Natanggal ba ang mga buses sa roads? Hindi naman po e. The buses are still there. In-upgrade lang po natin 'yung kind of buses,” Lizada explained.

“How come the other transport groups, they embrace the jeepney modernization? They embrace 'yung programa ng gobyerno and we listen to them. It's just the attitude of leaders and operations. 'Yun ho ang dapat natin i-address. Kasi kung ano lang 'yung gusto nilang sabihin sa kanilang miyembro, 'yun lang din ang sinasabi nila,” she added.

Lizada said the modernization of the jeepneys will take one to three years, depending on the process. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News