Gov’t clears the air on franchise data, calls for talks with transport groups

Metro Manila, Philippines - Half of jeepney units that have applied for franchise consolidation under the public vehicle modernization program have completed the process, the government said in clearing the air on claims of a striking transport group of wrong information.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over 40 percent of jeepney units have finished the consolidation process from 86 percent that filed for an application.

LTFRB spokesperson Ariel Inton made this clarification after transport group Manibela slammed the agency for supposedly spreading an opposite information - 86 percent of jeepney units are done with consolidation. This was the basis for the group to hold a three-day nationwide transport strike that began on Monday, March 24.

In a separate media briefing, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon cited similar data, saying the government is still validating the numbers.

“Tingin ko hindi rason para magstrike kapag ang gobyerno nagba-validate ng numero... Kaya ang pakiusap ko when I heard na mag-strike ang Manibela, imbes na strike mag-usap tayo,” he said.

[Translation: I think it's not a valid reason to go on strike when the government is validating numbers. That’s why when I heard about Manibela’s strike, my request was, instead of striking, let's talk.]

Dizon said he will meet two transport groups within the week and come up with a concrete plan on the modernization program in two weeks.

Transport group Pasang Masda, which supports the modernization plan, said they will join the sit-down with Dizon.

On March 21, the transportation chief met with the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide to discuss its concerns about the program.

“That will mean looking at the implementation schedule of the PUV modernization. Meron na kasing ongoing na e. Hindi natin ihihinto iyon. Doon sa mga di pa pumapasok sa programa, tatanungin natin, bakit ba hindi pa kayo pumapasok. Ano ba ang problema at challenges niyo para pumasok?” Dizon said.

[Translation: That will mean looking at the implementation schedule of the public utility vehicle modernization. There’s already an ongoing program. We will not stop that. For those who have not yet joined the program, we will ask why you haven't joined yet. What are the problems and challenges you face in joining?]

Malacañang also urged Manibela to hold a dialogue with the agency.

The LTFRB, meanwhile, said it’s better to hold a dialogue on easing requirements to finish the consolidation process than staging a strike.

“There are those requirements that operators want to comply. So kung sana ito ang pinag-uusapan ay may mararating tayo…Capitalization, financial requirement, fleet modernization, and legal administrative barrier,” Inton said.

[Translation: There are requirements that operators want to comply with, so if this is what we're talking about, we could achieve something…Capitalization, financial requirements, fleet modernization, and legal administrative barriers]

Manibela said it will only meet with DOTr when there will be a “sincere” dialogue and if “liars” at the LTFRB are replaced.

Its chairman, Mariano “Mar” Valbuena Jr., is running for senator as an independent in the May 12 midterm elections.