MANILA, Philippines - A draft government order is seeking to slash by half the fines on public utility vehicles violating traffic regulations amid the threat of a nationwide transport strike today.
The STAR learned that the draft is awaiting the approval of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
Salient points of the draft are the slashing of fines and doing away with the penalty of cancellation of franchises for third time offenders.
The heaviest sanction would be suspension of their franchise to operate.
The draft order seeks to revise Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, which imposes higher penalties on traffic violators.
For public utility buses, the highest fine for operating without a franchise is P1 million.
A bus firm has been slapped that fine.
Third time offenders could face cancellation of their franchises.
LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez has warned that participants in today’s strike could have their franchises suspended or canceled.
At Malacañang, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said
the transport sector has a responsibility to the commuting public.
Speaking over state radio dzRB, Coloma said the government respects the public’s right to display their criticisms against the government.
However, the consequences of their acts would be put to question if the commuting public is affected, he added.
The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) said the protest is aimed against the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 for being unreasonable.
PISTON president George San Mateo said the transport strike will take place in Metro Manila, Laguna, Albay, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, General Santos and Davao City.
More transport groups are expected to join, he added.