In case strike occurs Lapu-Lapu vehicles remain on the guard

CEBU, Philippines - Even if the scheduled two-day transport strike is not pushing through, Lapu-Lapu City administrator Teodulo Ybanez said they will still prepare government and barangay service vehicles in case it materializes in the final hour.

"On Monday morning, i-pundok gihapon nato ang mga government vehicles," Ybañez said.

The city administrator explained that they would still put the government vehicles on standby in different strategic areas and PUJ terminals if the working public and students might experience problems in reaching to their school and work place.

He told The FREEMAN that he received a report last Friday that the July 21 and 22 transport strike will not push through.

Romeo Armamento, vice president for the Visayas of the National Confederation Transportworkers' Union-Alliance of Progressive Labor, said they have cancelled the scheduled activity as they already convened with concerned government agencies.

"We decided to call off the strike after we were given the chance to voice our concerns over the Joint Administrative Order," Armamento said in Cebuano.

"This is a bold action. Di' mi katuo apan amo mang nakita nga sinsero sila pagtabang sa mga transport groups pinaagi sa emergency meeting.  Kana dako ang among pasalamat kay gi-recognize among presensya nga apil mo-review sa order (We saw their sincerity because they even called an emergency meeting. They also recognized us as part of the body that would review the order," he added.

But Yabañez said they will still monitor any change in the transport groups' plan up until Sunday evening.

Frank Brazil, chief of City Traffic Management System, said they have not yet received a notice lifting the alternative transport aides for the public.

According to the CTMS head, it is better to be prepared rather than mobilizing the vehicles in an instant. "Mag-andam lang ta kay basin moingon sila nga wala pero naa diay," he said.

Ybañez and Brazil also said if the strike will not push through, they can easily inform the barangays about it. Brazil added that they will also help in monitoring the traffic situation.

A bilateral meeting happened yesterday at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board office attended by transport groups and operators who were allowed to speak and raise their concerns against JAO.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, president and general manager of transport cooperative CITRASCO, said he will personally be forwarding the recommendations of the transport groups to DOTC for amendatory action.

"We are not totally against the JAO, but there are some provisions that we are not in favor of.  There's really a need to revise or amend the order," he pointed out.

CITRASCO is the biggest transport cooperative in Cebu. It has around 400 jeepney units and 200 taxi units.  Armamento said they are looking forward to a fruitful discussion with the officials.  (FREEMAN)