By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Claiming that there are still around 40,000 traditional jeepney units that have yet to join the consolidation program, transport group Manibela appealed for compassion from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying drivers and operators will lose their livelihood once the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspends their operation come January 1, 2024.

This developed as the government remained firm on Tuesday (December 26) in its stand not to extend the deadline for the consolidation of operators to comply with the jeepney modernization program.

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan clarified that there will be no more extension beyond the December 31 due date, despite appeals from drivers and operators to give them more time to comply with the policy to join a cooperative.

Under a cooperative, an operator will lose ownership of his unit as this will now form part of the asset of the group that formed the juridical entity.

Meanwhile, transport group Piston expressed hope that a temporary restraining order [TRO] would be issued by the Supreme Court (SC) after it brought the issue to the highest court.

(IAmigo/MNM)

In response to the dire situation in Gaza, Pope Francis made a plea for all parties involved to disarm during his weekly General Audience on October 18, 2023.

He expressed deep concern about the escalating crisis and emphasized the need to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

The Pope stressed that war doesn’t offer solutions but instead results in death, destruction, increased hatred, and a cycle of revenge.

He underscored the importance of choosing the path of peace.

These remarks followed a deadly airstrike on a Gaza hospital the previous day, which resulted in hundreds of casualties.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza had its origins in actions by both Hamas and the Israeli military. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict.

The casualty figures stand at more than 3,300 Palestinians and over 1,400 people in Israel.

(ai/mnm)