Drivers' rally leaves thousands stranded

CEBU, Philippines - Drivers, who took part in yesterday’s protest action against the increase in fines on traffic violations, face sanctions as thousands of commuters were stranded despite the announcement that there was no transport strike.

Commuters from the cities of Cebu, Talisay and Mandaue and those from nearby municipalities were affected by the drivers’ protest as several joined the march from Fuente Osmeña while others decided not to ply their routes.

An irked Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to take drastic action, possibly to revoke the franchises of those jeepneys where the routes were crippled.

As early as 8 a.m., members of the militant transport group Nagkahiusang Drivers sa Sugbo (NADSU) led by secretary general Ruben Rama, claimed to have gathered more than 1,000 drivers and operators in a protest march from the Fuente Osmeña to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). 

NADSU is a regional organization of the Pinagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON).

“Dili pa ni strike, rally lang ni, protesta ba, pero di mi magduha duha rong Byernes,” Rama said.

The drivers gave their position paper to LTO Regional Director Raul Aguilos and also aired their concerns regarding the newly implemented Department Order No.2008-39, which has increased the traffic fines.

Eduardo Geolin, NADSU Council member said they have nothing against paying of fines or suspension of licenses, but what they are against is the high amount of the fines.

Geolin also questioned Aguilos on the implementation of the order without consulting the operators or transport organizations.

However, Director Aguilos said that the implementation of the new fines has helped a lot because since the implementation of the order last March 2, fewer drivers have violated the rules.

Aguilos said to the operators that they will still continue to implement the order, but they will be sending the position paper that they have received from the operators to the central office in Manila.

He asked the drivers to stop the rally and continue their daily operations since it is affecting the public.

Rama, after the dialogue, said they were not happy with the answers of Aguilos.

He said that they will be going back to the office of LTO on Friday to check on the progress but if until then they would still get no answers, then they will meet with their different groups to decide on a transport strike.

At the City Hall meanwhile, an angry Osmeña called on officials of LTFRB for explanations and actions on the disturbance.

LTFRB regional information officer Atty. Eugenio Ibo received a tongue lashing from the Mayor challenging the agency to make drastic actions against the drivers who support the so called protest.

Osmeña said they had submitted a list of public utility vehicles franchises which participated in the previous strikes, but the LTFRB has not acted on it.

Osmeña said he is in favor of increasing the fines since lowering them will make the drivers more abusive.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo of the City Disaster and Coordinating Council (CDCC) said they were able to deploy 10 buses and six other vehicles to assist stranded commuters.

LTFRB regional director Atty. Romulo Bernardes said his men noted down 13 jeepneys being used in the protest, which will be held for possible out of line violations.

Out of line violation is committed when a public utility vehicle is not traveling within the designated area stated in his franchise.

These jeepneys were from the north-bound routes 21B, 23, 24 and 29.

Bernardes said the drivers and operators of these jeepneys will be summoned today by LTFRB assistant regional director Atty. Douglas Sanson.

Bernardes said they will be fined P1,500 for first offense, ,then will be suspended or finally franchises revoked after final deliberation with the board en banc.

He said the jeepney drivers and operators never filed any Notice of Strike with their agency especially after the decrease of fare by 50 centavos last week.

 Bernardes also denied not doing anything with the information given by the city saying that City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) head Arnel Tancinco is very much informed of their actions.

He said LTFRB will be ready should there be a real strike this Friday.

Cebu City Police Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said that they have deployed escort policemen for the buses that were deployed to ferry stranded passengers.

The police received reports that there were some PUJ drivers that had been harassed by groups of people who joined the rally.

Comendador said that there were however no arrests made.

Transportation was estimated to be paralyzed by 60 percent in the Bulacao and Pardo routes. — With Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc and Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)