MANILA, Philippines: The jeepney strike entered its second day today, Tuesday, as concerns raised by the drivers and operators over the government's phaseout plan remained unanswered. In its official Facebook page, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) announced the continuation of the strike, saying it was 'evident that the Department of Transportation (DoTr) isn't listening and proudly claims that December 31 is just a deadline for consolidation, not a phaseout.

Yet, we've long opposed this very consolidation because, no matter how they spin it, franchise consolidation seizes individual permits equivalent to a phaseout. We're not just referring to the phasing out of vehicles here but the phasing out of livelihoods.' PISTON leaders, led by President Mody Floranda, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd met on Monday at the LTFRB office in Quezon City in a bid to reach an agreement that would end the transport strike set until Wednesday. 'Let's take it one step at a time. I will carefully study each of their requests.