Don’t arrest drivers over fare rollback, Piston tells LTFRB

The militant transport federation Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) yesterday warned the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other traffic enforcers that they would face grave legal consequences if they apprehend jeepney drivers who are unaware of the LTFRB’s provisional order for a 50-centavo fare cut in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region and Southern Tagalog.

In a statement, PISTON spokesman George San Mateo said jeepney drivers in these regions are still holding legitimate tariff rates stipulating that the minimum fare is P7.50.

LTFRB and other government agencies cannot just apprehend the jeepney drivers unless they formally clarify the status of the present jeepney tariff rates, said San Mateo.

"We believe it will be illegal for the LTFRB and other government agencies to apprehend the drivers until the new tariff rates are made available to them," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, PISTON criticized the LTFRB Region 7 for insinuating that a jeepney fare rollback should be implemented in Cebu as well.

San Mateo and other PISTON leaders were in Cebu City and were supposed to attend protests actions to be led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in connection with the ASEAN Summit,  which was postponed for next year.

San Mateo criticized LTFRB region 7 director Rogelio Osmena for insinuating that a provisional fare cut should also be applied in Cebu.

"We support the position taken by the Nagkahiisang Drayber sa Sugbu (NADSU) in opposing the fare rollback. PISTON fully agrees with NADSU chairman Anthony Pogado that a fare rollback in Cebu is unwarranted considering that the minimum jeepney fare is already low at P6," said San Mateo.

A genuine economic relief through decent wages and low prices of oil and basic commodities are what the people need and not a deceptive fare cut, he added.

The militant PISTON lambasted the Arroyo administration and the LTFRB central office for implementing a provisional 50-centavo jeepney fare rollback in Central Luzon, NCR and Southern Tagalog. 

PISTON complained that they did not receive a formal notice of hearing before the LTFRB announced the provisional fare decrease last Dec. 6.

PISTON is opposing the implementation of a fare rollback which the group branded as a publicity gimmick by Malacañang.

The LTFRB claimed that the said provisional rollback is the Arroyo administration’s gift to the Filipino people this Christmas.

"What the drivers and the people in the entire country needs this Christmas are genuine economic relief and not the deceptive provisional fare decrease," PISTON said.