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)