Transport groups on Monday declared a one-week nationwide "tigil pasada," or strike of traditional jeepneys and UV Express, starting March 6.

The strike is in protest against Memorandum Circular No. 013 issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which extended traditional jeepneys’ provisional authority (PA) or franchise to operate until June 30 only.

Under the said memo, individual operators are also given until June 30 to join new and existing consolidated entities or corporations in line with the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUV-MP).

"Isang linggong tigil-pasada mag-mula sa March 6, magsisimula po ito. Kung hindi babawiin ng LTFRB, isang linggong tigil pasada nationwide, lalong-lalo na po dito sa NCR [National Capital Region]," Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena announced in a press conference held at the University of the Philippines Hostel in Diliman, Quezon City.

He said they want LTFRB to extend the operations of traditional jeepneys and UV Express for five more years.

Valbuena then asked for the commuters' understanding of this nationwide strike.

"Kung hindi po namin ito lalabanan, mas mahaba ‘yung pagdurusa na sasapitin ng mga mananakay. Kung hindi namin gagawin ito, taon po ang bibilangin bago maka-rekober ang mga mananakay," he explained.

The Manibela chairman said at least 40,000 traditional jeepneys and the UV Express in the NCR will join the strike.

"‘Yung gravity po nito [tigil pasada], sigurado pong hindi makakapasok ‘yung ating mga manggagawa, kaya LTFRB, mag isip-isip po kayo. Kung hindi ninyo babawiin ang pinapakiusap naming Memorandum Circular na nilabas ninyo noong nakaraang linggo, tuloy-tuloy na ito [tigil pasada]," Valbuena further said.

"Hindi lamang tigil pasada. Itatambak namin ang mga traditional jeepney sa LTFRB para makita kung gaano kalakas ito sa inyong lahat," he added.