OUT WITH THE OLD. Modern jeepney units of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas go around Quezon City on Saturday (April 13, 2024). Orlando Marquez, the transport group's president who guested at the Saturday news forum in Dapo Restaurant, is batting for the production and purchase of locally made units and for manufacturers to retain the traditional look. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
MANILA – The two-day transport strike carried out by two public utility vehicle (PUV) groups have been "unsuccessful", the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the government’s efforts to offset the two-day transport strike proved to be effective.
However, Bautista said the two transport groups --PISTON and Manibela-- have managed to create traffic by blocking roads in some areas.
“They were successful in creating traffic. Pero (But) we were able to prove that government is ready to address transport issues,” Bautista said at the celebration of the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) 112th founding anniversary in Quezon City.
The protesters, he said, may be liable for traffic violations such as obstruction of traffic following a review by the LTO, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police.
“Ang nakita namin ay obstruction which created traffic. Mayroon naman silang right na ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan, pero 'wag naman sanang ma-apektuhan ang traveling public (We saw obstructions that created traffic. They have the right to protest but it should not affect the traveling public),” he added.
Earlier, members of PISTON and Manibela occupied the southbound lane of Quezon Avenue from Welcome Rotonda to Blumentritt since their vigil on Monday night.
The protesters said their actions are meant to illustrate their opposition to the government’s PUV modernization program.
On Monday, LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said the transport strike did not result in stranded passengers or long queues, noting that rescue buses remained on standby. (PNA)
