Transport strike on 28–30 September: preparations for franchise businesses

Manibela will proceed with a three-day transport strike on 28–30 September 2026, despite a warning from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) about possible transport franchise cancellations. For franchise businesses in the Philippines, the announcement is a reason to review arrangements for staff travel and shop supplies—not evidence that all operations will necessarily be disrupted.

Three-day protest over fuel prices

According to a report by Abante Tonite on 27 September, Manibela will lead the strike in protest against continuing increases in fuel prices. A separate transport strike by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), a national drivers’ and operators’ group, is also scheduled for 29 and 30 September.

In an interview with Abante News TV, Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said the LTFRB’s warning would not stop the group’s action. Among the objectives he cited were lower petroleum product prices, setting the fare increase at PHP 2, and suspending excise duty on diesel and petrol.

According to Valbuena, the duty has been temporarily removed only from kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These statements reflect the group’s explanations and demands; they should not be taken to mean that all its requests have been approved.

In its statement, Manibela also highlighted the burden of high oil prices on others earning a living in transport, including drivers of app-booked vehicles, motorcycle taxis and lorries. However, this does not establish that all these groups will take part in the planned strike.

The LTFRB warning and what ‘franchise’ means here

In the same report, LTFRB Acting Chairman Greg Pua Jr. explained that there are rules governing the abandonment of services. According to his explanation, failure to operate 60 per cent of the vehicles in a fleet covered by a transport franchise could be treated as abandonment of that franchise.

He also said operators could be issued with a notice requiring them to explain their actions and fined PHP 5,000 for a first offence. He cited franchise suspension and cancellation as possible penalties for subsequent offences.

It is important to distinguish the meaning of ‘franchise’ here. The warning concerns authorisation to operate public transport services, which the LTFRB regulates. It is not an announcement of a new policy governing commercial franchise agreements between brands and their business partners.

The report did not describe any actual franchise cancellation linked to the planned action. A warning about possible penalties is not the same as a final decision against a particular operator.

What shops should monitor

The report does not provide a complete list of affected routes, the number of vehicles taking part or the potential scale of the impact on businesses. It would therefore be premature to forecast a specific fall in sales or assume that all employees will be unable to find transport.

Instead, owners and managers can begin by identifying which staff rely on routes that may be affected. It would also be useful to contact suppliers to check for changes to delivery times, rather than assuming that shipments will automatically be delayed.

These are suggested preparations, not reports of disruption that has already occurred. Any schedule changes should be based on verified conditions around the shop itself and clear communication with employees.

Practical steps before the transport strike

For businesses with multiple branches, a clear process for reporting travel and delivery problems can help. Businesses can designate who will receive updates from staff and who will decide on any necessary changes to working hours.

If opening hours need to change, make sure this has been agreed within the business and communicated clearly to customers. Avoid issuing blanket closure announcements based solely on national news before any local impact has been confirmed.

Practical reminder: Check transport arrangements, speak to employees and suppliers, and prepare alternative schedules. Early coordination is more useful than speculation about the scale of the strike.