Push Admin

After staying overnight at a standstill with PNP officers barricading España Boulevard, members of transport group MANIBELA voluntarily disperse their caravan from Welcome Rotonda between Quezon City and Manila on April 16, 2024, as part of their transport strike against the PUV Modernization Program. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Dispersing for Now

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171334171937020240416-manibela-transport-strike-MD--11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="After staying overnight at a standstill with PNP officers barricading España Boulevard, members of transport group MANIBELA voluntarily disperse their caravan from Welcome Rotonda between Quezon City and Manila on April 16, 2024, as part of their transport strike against the PUV Modernization Program. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">After staying overnight at a standstill with PNP officers barricading España Boulevard, members of transport group MANIBELA voluntarily disperse their caravan from Welcome Rotonda between Quezon City and Manila on April 16, 2024, as part of their transport strike against the PUV Modernization Program. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday shrugged off threats of more protest actions ahead of the April 30 deadline for industry consolidation, which is required under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/16/mmda-matindi-ang-naging-epekto-ng-transport-strike-1824">READ: MMDA: Matindi ang naging epekto ng transport strike</a></div><p>This comes a day after transport groups Piston and Manibela concluded their two-day transport strike from April 15 to April 16. </p><p>During a forum in Parañaque, DOTr Undersecretary Andy Ortega again downplayed the impact of the strike on the supply of public transport services, adding that the government already knows which areas to focus on during such times. </p><p>“Sa dalas nang pag-tigil pasada nung dalawang grupo, talagang napi-pinpoint na rin kung saan ang talagang problema or concern every time they do tigil-pasada. So the service of the government to our commuters, mas nagiging maganda,” said Ortega. </p><p>(Because of how often the two groups stage transport strikes, we are already able to pinpoint which areas are problematic or concerning every time it happens. So the service of the government to our commuters, it becomes better.) </p><p>DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said the latest transport strike was a failure since it only created traffic jams in parts of Metro Manila. But Manibela, in a statement, pinned the blame on authorities, saying it was them who blocked the path of the transport caravan which resulted in road congestion. </p><p>Meanwhile, Ortega said the constant transport strikes have also helped the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) identify which routes still have low consolidation rates. </p><p>LTFRB board member Mercy Leynes assured commuters that the agency has also taken steps to ensure that there will still be enough PUVs to cater to them in these routes. </p><p>“Nag-identify na kami doon sa specific routes kung sino yung magpo-provide na consolidated entities. Naggawa na kami ng listahan nung mga existing nating cooperatives and corporations sa bawat ruta na nakita natin na mas mababa yung consolidation niya kaysa doon sa iba,” said Leynes. </p><p>(For those specific routes, we have already identified which consolidated entities will be providing service. We have made a list of the existing cooperatives and corporations in each of those routes wherein the consolidation rate is lower compared to others.)</p><div><strong>SPECIAL GUIDELINES</strong></div><p>Leynes added that the LTFRB will also be issuing special guidelines for routes where there are not enough PUV units in the first place. </p><p>“Sa analysis din natin, marami pala sa ating mga ruta, ang number of authorized units ay isa, dalawa lang. So napaka imposible nga naman diba na makapagconsolidate pa sila. May tinitignan tayong pag-handle na separate naman dito sa mga ito,” said Leynes.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/15/transport-strike-2040">READ: Jeepney transport strike against consolidation</a> </div><p>(In our analysis, we found that there are many routes where the number of authorized units is only one or two so it’s really impossible for them to consolidate. We are looking at having a separate approach for or way of handling these cases.) </p><p>Leynes said that this is one adjustment they came up with during the span of the three-month extension of the consolidation deadline, following a statement by Senator Grace Poe asking what the government has done to address the apprehensions of jeepney operators and drivers. </p><p>Ortega added that transportation authorities will continue to engage with stakeholders after the April 30 deadline. </p><p>Meanwhile, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz reiterated that those who fail to comply with the consolidation requirement can no longer ply their routes after April 30. </p><p>“Pag hindi ho kayo nakasama sa programa ng gobyerno, automatic wala na ho kayong prangkisa come May 1. Meron ho kaming dahilan ngayon, hindi lang para hulihin, pero para i-impound yung mga sasakyan nung mga hindi ho sumama sa consolidation,” he said.</p><p> (If you do not join the program of the government, automatic, your franchise will be revoked come May 1. We would then have a reason to not just apprehend you but to impound the vehicles of those who will not comply.)</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gOO4F_wPw6s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said the latest transport strike was a failure since it only created traffic jams in parts of Metro Manila.</p>

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said the latest transport strike was a failure since it only created traffic jams in parts of Metro Manila.

DOTr shrugs off threat of more transport strikes ahead of April 30 consolidation deadline

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

DOTr shrugs off threat of more transport strikes ahead of April 30 consolidation deadline

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 17, 2024 04:25 PM PHT

Read More:

consolidation deadline

DOTr

puv modernization program

LTFRB

jeepney

ANC

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.