Members of transport group PISTON and allied organizations under the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition stage a protest rally in Cubao, Quezon City, as part of the nationwide transport strike on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
QUEZON CITY — Amid another round of transport strikes scheduled to begin next week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned transport operators against continued suspension of operations, which may constitute a violation of franchise regulations.
The LTFRB said on Sunday that if 60 percent of a transport operator’s operations are halted for “a certain period of time,” this may fall under the rules on abandonment, which carries the following penalties:
* First offense – P5,000 fine
* Second offense – Suspension of franchise
* Third offense – Cancellation of franchise
Piston sets transport strike on Sept. 29-30
Meanwhile, PISTON President Mody Florendo maintained that holding transport strikes is their right, saying the LTFRB should not “intimidate” them.
“‘Itong transport strike ay isa sa rights, karapatan ito ng mga driver at operator. Baka hindi kailangan ang mga operator at driver ng warningan at takutin ng gobyerno. Baka kailangan nga warningan ng gobyerno yung mga dambuhalang kumpanya ng langis na nagpapahirap sa kabuhayan ng mga driver at operator,” he said.
Transport group MANIBELA has scheduled its transport strike from September 28 to 30, while PISTON is set to hold another strike from September 29 to 30.
“Para sa MANIBELA, hindi na kayang saluhin ng mga tsuper at operator ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo… Hindi sapat ang panandaliang ayuda o fuel subsidy. Kailangan ng pangmatagalan at konkretong solusyon upang maprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng mga tsuper at operator,” the group said in a statement.
DOTr approves public transport fare increase
Meanwhile, commuters in Metro Manila are expected to face additional difficulties as the transport strikes will coincide with the implementation of the fare increase on Monday.
“Paano na kami.. wag naman sana itaas kasi ang mahal-mahal na ng bilihin, tapos tataas pa ang pamasahe,” 70-year-old commuter Olive Rosales said.
“Nakakagulat lang po parang short notice po yung sabi nila… kung may alternative naman po like ride hailing apps na ano lang dagdag-pamasahe lang mas mataas yung presyo ayun nakakapagod lang,” BPO worker John Venezuela added, as he expressed concern over how he would get to work on Monday.
Fuel prices seen to roll back next week
Beyond the fare increase, transport groups continue to call for more long-term solutions to address the rising cost of fuel and the impact on drivers and operators.
“Sa atin ay maliit, maliit yung piso na kung saan ay sa laki na yung nawalang kita ng ating mga drivers, mga operator…Ang piso po ay bahagi yan ng tagumpay ng laban ng mga driver at mga operator bagamat ito ay kulang,” Florendo added.