LTFRB appeals to transport groups to halt strike, but stands ready to assist commuters

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is ready to provide alternative means of transportation to affected commuters if transport groups push through with their plan to hold a transport strike from July 24 to 26.

But LTFRB Board Member Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes said it does not have to come to that drastic move as she appealed to transport groups to reconsider their plan to hold a three-day transport hike.

“Nanawagan kami na hindi sana matuloy yung transport strike kasi ang hindi natin nakikita dito, hindi lang naman ito tungkol doon sa modernization tsaka yung mga stakeholders natin na affected by the implementation of the program  (We are appealing to them to halt the transport strike because this is not only about the modernization and stakeholders that are affected by the implementation of the program),” Leynes said in a media interview.

“Ang pinakaimportanteng konsiderasyon dapat yung mga welfare ng ating mga mananakay kasi sila talaga yung tatamaan kung matutuloy itong transport strike (The most important aspect to consider must be the welfare of our commuters because they are the ones who will be affected if the transport hike pushes through),” she added.

The LTFRB official, however, assured the public that they are ready to assist commuters that will be hit by the planned transport hike.

She said the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its partner agencies are currently coordinating to ensure that there are alternative means of transportation for the commuters.

Leynes further said that they still have no information on how many groups will participate in the transport hike, the first day will  coincide with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“We are coordinating with our regional counterparts to validate yung possible participants to the planned strike sa kani-kanilang mga area (in their respective areas). We’re still waiting for their feedback,” Leynes said.

“Wala kaming information na meron pang ibang kasama pero kung ganun pa man naghahanda ang LTFRB para dun sa pag-provide ng transportation, security sa ating mga commuters (We have no information if there will be other participants but if that’s the case, the LTFRB will prepare to provide transportation, security for our commuters),” she added.

The LTFRB official also told transport groups that the LTFRB and DOTr are open for dialogues and urged them to not resort to ways that would hit the commuters.

“Nanawagan kami na sana yung mga ganitong mga paraan ng pagpaparating ng hinaing sa gobyerno ay wag makaapekto dun sa sineserbisyuhan nating mananakay. Meron namang ibang forum para magawa ‘yan (We are appealing that ways like this   to voice out our sentiments to the government may not affect our commuters. There are other forums where we can do that),” Leynes stressed.

“Patuloy naman kaming bukas at accessible naman ang opisina ni Chairman para makinig sa mga transport groups. Nakakalungkot na ang tatamaan na naman ay ang mga mananakay (We are open and the Chairman’s office accessible to listen to transport groups. It is just saddening that the commuters will take the hit anew),” she added.

Transport group Manibela said the strike will take place after regional transportation authorities allegedly awarded most routes for public utility vehicles to big corporations and transport groups allied with politicians. — Jel Santos

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