By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Saying the government respects the decision of transport groups Samahang Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (MANIBELA) and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor (PISTON), Department of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Roads Sector Andy Ortega on Saturday brushed off fears that the planned two-day strike will paralyze public transport.

PISTON and MANIBELA are poised to launch their nationwide transport strike on Monday (15 April 2024) as the April 30 deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators is fast approaching.

“Those planning to rally or protest account for merely 5% of the entire transportation sector,”  Ortega noted at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

The planned two-day transport strike by PISTON and MANIBELA was hatched after President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has announced that there would be no more extension of the application for consolidation of individual public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to form or join transportation cooperatives.

But the other transport groups will not join the two-day “tigil-pasada”.

Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) president Orlando Marquez revealed that 20 organizations, including LTOP, Pasangmasda, FEJODAP, Stop and Go Coalition, Federation of UV Express of the Philippines, and Taxi Operators Association of the Philippines will not join the looming transport strike.

In an interview on Dobol B TV, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) also said it will not join the planned strike of MANIBELA and PISTON.

“Ang Magnificent 7 [group] po, kami po ay hindi sasama sa kanilang binabalak na tigil-pasada,” ALTODAP president Melencio “Boy” Vargas said.

He said ALTODAP is composed of seven transport groups.

“Hindi na uso ngayon ang strike. ‘Yan po ay pinagdaanan na namin. Kami po ay nag-strike noon, nu’ng nakaraan. Noong panahon ni GMA, kami ‘yung nag-90% strike,” Vargas recalled.

For the ALTODAP leader, it’s no longer necessary to give inconvenience to the commuters.

“Sa ngayon, huwag naman nating pahirapan ‘yung ating mga mananakay. Kasi unang-una, binigyan naman sila ng pagkakataon. Hindi naman sila sumunod eh. Ilang extension na po ito. Nagkasama-sama rin kami, nag-usap-usap kami pero siyempre, may kanya-kanya tayong pananaw,” Vargas said.

With the disunity of transport groups, the DOTr said the planned two-day transport strike is apparently bound to fail.

“Clearly they will not paralyze Metro Manila and most especially the whole of the Philippines,” Ortega said.

He cited the previous transport strikes that failed to paralyze public transport last year.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — Vehicle dealers and importers will soon face steeper penalties for fraudulent vehicle registration following the amendment of an administrative order by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In a statement, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza announced that the amendment, greenlit by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, aims to bolster sanctions against manufacturers, assemblers, importers, rebuilders, dealers, and other entities (MAIRDOEs) authorized to import motor vehicles and components.

These escalated penalties will target individuals or entities engaging in fraud and misrepresentation during application filing and operations, including stock and sales reporting. Additionally, penalties will be imposed for the submission of fraudulent, fake, or falsified stock/sales periodic reports as mandated by law.

For a first offense of either violation, the penalty includes suspension of the Certificate of Accreditation (COA) for up to six months, a fine of PHP500,000, and revocation of the Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR), sales report, and vehicle registrations associated with the violation.

Subsequent offenses will lead to more severe penalties, including COA cancellation, a one-year blacklisting from the finality of the cancellation order, and revocation of CSR, sales reports, and vehicle registrations.

Mendoza emphasized that the LTO reserves the right to pursue criminal charges against individuals or entities committing these serious offenses.

Given the classification of both offenses as “serious,” a 90-day preventive suspension will be imposed starting upon receipt of a show cause order from the LTO.

In the same administrative order approved by Bautista, less severe offenses were identified, such as failure to comply with standard requirements and other laws related to MAIRDOE business operations, and allowing unauthorized entities to use its accreditation.

Penalties for these offenses include PHP100,000 for first offense, PHP500,000 for second offense, and PHP1 million for third offense. A fourth offense will result in COA cancellation and a one-year blacklisting period.

Mendoza stressed that these stricter penalties aim to compel MAIRDOEs to adhere to rules and regulations. He cited fraudulent transactions involving two Bugatti Chiron vehicles as an “eye-opener” prompting the review of existing policies and the adjustment of penalties deemed inadequate.

(el Amig/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on late Thursday (04 Jan 2024) afternoon brushed off apprehension of an impending fare hike due to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa earlier said fares could hit P45 to P50 in a few years, as transport corporations and cooperatives would need to make enough money to pay off loans for modern jeepney units and other expenses under the government’s PUV Modernization Program.

“Una po sa lahat, wala pong taas-pasahe na mangyayari na hindi po dumadaan sa proseso ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan clarified.

Aside from the IBON Foundation, a commuters’ group on Wednesday (January 3), also earned a possible P50 minimum fare following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The minimum jeepney fare is currently at P13.

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport (AIT) Convenor Edrich Samonte said.

But the DOTr junked all those fears and speculations.

“At ito pong pag-implementa ng ating consolidation deadline ay hindi po inaasahan na magkakaroon ng kaakibat na taas-pasahe ngayon pong panahon na ito,” Batan maintained.

(El Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — With the lapse of December 31, 2023 deadline, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday lamented that only 40% of jeepneys in the National Capital Region (NCR) have consolidated for the PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) Modernization Program.

In a television interview, DOTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will come up with the final count in a few days.

“Nationwide, nandoon tayo sa 70% more or less. Ngunit dito sa Metro Manila or NCR talagang maraming humabol at siguro as of now aabot tayo ng 40%,” Ortega revealed in an interview on GMA 7’s Unang Balita.

He said those who failed to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate starting Monday, January 1, 2024, especially in routes where 60% of PUVs had applications.

Earlier, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos slammed the policy of compelling jeepney drivers to consolidate into cooperatives or join transport corporations.

She noted that the modern jeepney with Euro 4-compliant engine is “too expensive” at P2.5 million per unit for the ordinary jeepney driver, who also has to deal with soaring gas prices.

“Sino bang may ayaw ng bagong sasakyan? Pero sino naman, sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, ang may pambayad?” Senator Imee asked.

On the other hand, transport group Piston on Sunday, December 31, expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. would recall the Dec. 31 deadline for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to consolidate despite the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiteration that there will be no more extension.

LTFRB officials, however, see no transport crisis after the lapse of PUV consolidation deadline.

(IAmigo/.MNM)

MANILA — Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan conducted a thorough inspection of PCG’s firearms and assets on December 7, 2023, reinforcing preparedness for patrols across the nation’s ports.

In response to the recent bombing at Marawi City’s Mindanao State University gymnasium and the impending holiday rush, DOTr Secretary Bautista highlighted the necessity for an elevated state of alert within the PCG for enhanced security during patrols.

To ensure the safety of passengers heading to their hometown destinations, Bautista emphasized the intensified presence of PCG personnel at airports, seaports, and bus stations nationwide.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)