Strikers fail to paralyze public transport – LTFRB

MANILA, Philippines - There was no paralyzation of routes in any area in the country despite the protest action of transport group Piston yesterday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Winston Ginez said.

Piston is protesting against Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01, which imposes higher penalties on traffic violations, including colorum operations. It was issued jointly by the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office.

Piston and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) have tagged the policy as a “money-making scheme.”

Ginez said while there were reports of protest actions in Metro Manila and in the provinces, there were no reports of major incidents of stranded passengers.

George San Mateo, Piston president, said more than 90 percent of jeepneys in the Sucat-Bicutan route joined the strike.

Ginez said 70 percent of jeepneys in Monumento and 85 percent in Alabang also joined, while around 300 drivers participated in the protest in Cebu.

San Mateo said the participation of drivers in Northern Mindanao caused a paralyzation of transport services in that area.

But Ginez disputed this, saying there were no reports of transport paralyzation in Cagayan de Oro. He also said that free rides were provided in certain areas to anticipate the effect of the strike.

Assailed order reviewed

Ginez also confirmed a report by The STAR that a draft of the revised JAO 2014-01 was submitted to him. The draft revision slashes by half the fines imposed on violators among public utility vehicles.

This was the result of a review ordered by Ginez after transport groups assailed JAO 2014-01.

Ginez said the draft revision would still be subject to deliberation by the board. The board’s action would then be reviewed by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

JAO 2014-01 is also being questioned by transport groups before the Supreme Court.

KMU said the new policy would not help solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila. KMU noted that the order has been implemented since June but heavy traffic, especially in Metro Manila, has only gotten worse.

KMU vice chair Lito Ustarez has condemned Malacañang for warning jeepney drivers and other transport workers about losing their franchises if they join the protest.

“The Aquino government has again showed that it is insensitive towards the transport sectors’ calls and repressive towards the transport workers’ right to protest. It is shameless in backing its money-making schemes and ignoring the public’s criticisms of its failure to solve heavy traffic,” Ustarez said in statement.

“We support the country’s jeepney drivers and transport workers in holding their protests today. The JAO and other money-making schemes created by the government victimize the poor, won’t solve heavy traffic, and should be junked immediately. Only the pockets of top officials of traffic enforcement agencies have gotten fatter,” he added.  – With Mayen Jaymalin