By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

ROUTINE COMMUTE. Passengers line up to board a traditional jeepney along Elliptical Road in Quezon City on Monday (Sept. 23, 2024). The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Wednesday (Sept. 25) said the two-day transport strike staged by Piston and Manibela failed, with no significant disruption to vehicular traffic observed. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday debunked claims that the two-day transport strike by groups Piston and Manibela disrupted the public transportation system.

In a statement, LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said only a small number of commuters were affected by the strike in some parts of Metro Manila and that photos showing commuters queuing for public transport were regular situations during weekdays.

“Despite claims from transport groups such as Manibela and Piston regarding the supposed impact of the recent two-day transport strike, we observed no significant disruption to vehicular traffic,” Guadiz said.

He said only a few members of the two transport groups joined the strike.

“The effectiveness of public transportation and the resilience of our commuters have been evident during this period,” he said.

He called on transport groups to reach out to the LTFRB for a dialogue to address their concerns without to avoid inconveniencing the commuters.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Piston claimed its transport strike has paralyzed 90 percent of roads in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Piston and Manibela staged the two-day strike to protest the government’s Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP) and for the renewal of franchises and registrations for all public utility vehicle operators, including those who chose not to consolidate under the PTMP. (PNA)