DOTr slams transport strike set on SONA day

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday insisted that it did not fail to address the concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, ahead of the scheduled three-day transport strike by a transport group.

In a statement, it denied the accusations of Manibela and challenged the group to give proof and evidence to support its claims.

Manibela group president Mar Valbuena earlier in the week said they would have their second transport strike this year on July 24 to 26, with the first day set on the second State of the Nation Address of President Marcos.

The DOTr accused Manibela of using the strike to “gain media attention and public sympathy.”

“Their group is free to stage any form of protest. However, DOTr will not be held hostage. The whole country and innocent commuters will not be blackmailed every time this group does not get what it wants,” the statement read in part.

The DOTr pointed out that, along with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), they have been consulting with PUV drivers and operators in the past weeks to discuss the local public transport route plan.

“The LTFRB has always been fair in implementing its mandate based on the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines either to corporations or cooperatives. The DOTr, LTFRB and OTC are open and willing to hold dialogues with any group who has legitimate concerns and we vow to address such concerns through consultations and forum,” it said.

“The DOTr challenges Manibela to prove their allegations with concrete proof and evidence. Clearly, their planned ‘strike’ is intended to gain media attention and public sympathy, but not to address the legitimate concerns of PUV drivers and operators,” it added.

Manibela called on the President to revamp the LTFRB, and for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz to resign.

Backup plan

Meanwhile, the LTFRB said that it is readying for the possible strike.

LTFRB member Mercy Jane Leynes said they are coordinating with other government agencies to ensure that commuters will not be inconvenienced during the planned strike.

“The LTFRB, together with partner agencies, has a backup. We are coordinating with them (partner agencies) if this pushes through, we will ensure that there are alternative means of transportation for commuters,” Leynes said in a briefing.

Aside from Manibela, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide is also planning to join protest action on July 24.

Leynes urged transport operators and drivers not to inconvenience commuters during their protest action, noting that the LTFRB is open for discussion and that the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) would continue despite protests.

She noted that industry consolidation, a component of the PUVMP, has had several deadline extensions since 2017 as the government wants to ensure that all stakeholders can take part in the ambitious plan. — Romina Cabrera