Jeepney drivers protest deadline for franchise consolidation

Jeepney drivers and operators protested at the House of Representatives on Thursday, urging for a postponement of the December 31 deadline for mandatory franchise consolidation.

Makabayan bloc representatives filed House Resolution 1506 to defer the deadline and revoke the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines set by the LTFRB, citing concerns over job losses and livelihood destruction for jeepney drivers.

Piston, representing jeepney drivers and operators, argued that the policy excludes individual operators who cannot afford new franchise fees, potentially phasing out traditional jeepneys.