The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said it is transparent in granting new routes to jeepney drivers and does not favor any group.
This was after transport group MANIBELA lamented it is being deprived of routes by local governments and corporations under the government’s route rationalization plan.
“Ang selection process open to all. Mayroong qualifications. We have been transparent in the selection process,” LTFRB board member Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes said on Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras.”
“But if there are still claims against the selection process that we do with our new or developmental routes, we will investigate and sanction those who may be responsible,” she added.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also denied MANIBELA’s claims.
“The DOTr challenges MANIBELA to prove their allegations with concrete proof and evidence,” DOTr said.
The LTFRB also said it is looking into reports that some drivers have received car financial assistance. It said the P6,500 for qualified PUV drivers is not given in cash but as fuel subsidy voucher.
“‘Yung amount na nandoon hindi mo siya pwedeng ma-withdraw for any other purpose but to pay for the fuel. ‘Yung card na ‘yan isa-swipe sa mga accredited gasoline stations,” Leynes said.
MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena said his group has raised with the LTFRB months ago the problem on the granting of route.
Valbuena added his group has around 200,000 members from eight regions across the country.
The transport leader earlier announced MANIBELA will stage a strike on July 24 to 26, coinciding with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Bagong tayo na korporasyon inaplayan niya ngayon, yung ruta na meron nang existing pinasukan pa ng bagong korporasyon na malalaking mini-bus, bawas yung sa kita nila,” Valbuena said.
The LTFRB said it will coordinate with government agencies, such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to provide rides to commuters who will be affected by the transport strike.
Meanwhile, the group Pasang Masda said it will not join the three-day strike.
“Bakit kailangang mag-aklas? Phase out? Walang phase out ng jeepneys. Sinabi ni Secretary Jimmy Bautista, sinabi ni Chairman Jojo Guadiz, walang phase out. Ang kailangan lang ng mga traditional jeepney ay pumasa sa motor vehicle inspection service para makita na ito ay road-worthy pa,” Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News
