The government agency also stood by its data.
In its statement on Monday, March 24, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) declared that the nationwide transport strike led by Manibela a “failure.”
It cited that there had been a “minimal turnout and little to no impact on commuter traffic,” with the rallies being limited in scale and mainly attended by the transport group’s supporters.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB’s chairperson, Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, listed several transport groups which he says are in support of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
These are the likes of National Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NFTC), Tindig Cabarzon, Arangkada NCR, ALTODAP, ACTO, BusINA, and Pasang Masda.
They also claimed that the backing of these sector groups “affirms the LTFRB’s reported 86% consolidation rate under the PTMP.”
Over at their Facebook page, Manibela retaliated with their comment, which read, “Kung walang epekto ang strike dapat pabalikin na lahat sa klase at trabaho. Pero bakit po mas dumami ang nag suspend ng klase at naka work from home?“
It was last Wednesday, March 19, when Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena announced that his group is planning to stage a three-day nationwide transport strike from Monday, March 24 to Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
According to him, this is in protest of the alleged false numbers in the number of consolidated units under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
He accused the officials at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transport Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as the people behind the supposed skewed numbers.
Alas, he called on the resignation of Transport Secretary Vince Dizon and LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz over the matter.
In response to these, the Department of Transportation said in its statement that they recognize the rights of Manibela to make their concerns heard.
“In view of this, the Transportation Secretary has instructed Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Dioscoro “Jojo” Reyes to conduct a dialogue with the concerned transport groups (as soon as possible).”
The DOTr also added that it “hopes that instead of a transport strike, we sit down for a dialogue to work together to keep commuters safe and comfortable while ensuring that the welfare of our drivers and operators are protected.“
Meanwhile, the government department, along with the LTFRB and other agencies, assured commuters that they are already preparing contingency measures to ensure that commuters will not be affected by the strike.
“The DOTr is closely working with the MMDA and our LGUs to provide free rides to address any inconveniences that our commuters may experience during this activity.”