After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to review the highly contentious PUV modernization program, jeepney, and UV express operators called off their planned week-long transportation protest against the phaseout of traditional public utility vehicles.
On Tuesday night, Manibela leader Mar Valbuena and Piston leader Mody Floranda announced the suspension of the transport strike.
Valbuena stated that their organization will abide by the President's words and request that his administration study and revise the implementation of the PUV modernization program in order to protect the livelihoods of drivers and operators.
Valbuena cited their request to halt the implementation of the Department of Transportation's Department Order 2017-011, which defines the rules and requirements of the PUVMP, as well as the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2023-013.
Individual operators of traditional jeepneys are being ordered to halt operations if they do not join a cooperative by December 31, 2023, a deadline that was extended following the announcement of the strike.
Joining said organizations will allegedly allow them to purchase "modernized jeeps" or minibusses, which drivers and operators claimed were too expensive at more than P2 million each.
Meanwhile, the government thanked Manibela for putting an end to the transport strike and directed the DOTR and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to review their policies.