MANILA, Philippines – Ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) noong Linggo ay minaliit ang posibleng masamang epekto ng transport strike ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper sa Operator Nationwide (Piston) sa Huwebes, na tiniyak sa mga commuter na ang protesta “will not cripple public mobility.”
Sa isang Facebook post, binigyang-diin ng LTFRB na ang government agencies “are fully prepared to mitigate any inconvenience to the riding public” sa naka planong transport strike.
“We recognize the right of transport groups to express their grievances. However, I want to assure our commuters that the LTFRB, in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and concerned local government units (LGUs), has prepared contingency measures to ensure that the riding public will not be stranded,” saad ni LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III.
Nanawagan siya sa mga commuters na “remain calm,” pagtitiyak sa kanila na ang mga alternatibong ruta at karagdagang mga yunit ng transportasyon ay ipagkakaloob upang mabawasan ang anumang abala.
Ayon kay Guadiz, ipapakalat sa panahon ng protesta ang mga sasakyan tulad ng military truck, bus at modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) para magbigay ng libreng sakay sa publiko.
“Commuters are our top priority. We will make sure that on September 18, Filipinos can still get to work, school, and their destinations safely and on time,” ani Guadiz.
Sa paghahanda sa naka planong kilos protesta, binigyang-diin ng LTFRB na ang mga “previous transport strikes had minimal impact on passenger movement due to the strong participation of operators and drivers who chose not to join the protests.”
“The vast majority of jeepney operators and drivers want to continue serving the public and earning their livelihood. We are confident that enough units will remain on the road,” aniya.
Ang pahayag ng LTFRB ay kasunod ng anunsyo ng Piston na magsasagawa ito ng nationwide transport strike sa Huwebes, na binanggit ang mataas na buwis sa gasolina, ang kasalukuyang PUV modernization program, at ang kamakailang natuklasang ghost flood control projects ng gobyerno.
“So that’s why Marcos does not want to remove the VAT (value-added tax) and excise tax on fuel, because he will have to reduce his funds for flood control ghost projects,” saad ng grupo sa isang Facebook post.
“Imagine, jeepney drivers pay almost P13,000 per month in fuel taxes, while riders pay P4,000. But most unfortunate are those with modern [jeepneys] because they get robbed P23,400 per month in VAT and excise taxes. You are already in debt due to modernization, they’re also stealing your taxes!” saad ng Piston.
“Hearings and investigations are not enough. Someone should be held accountable! Someone needs to go to jail!” dagdag nito.
Samantala, ang LTFRB “appealed for sobriety,” na sinasabing ang PUV modernization program ay ipinapatupad upang mapabuti ang “welfare of commuters and the transport sector alike.”
“Reforms take time, but these are being done for the long-term benefit of both operators and passengers. The LTFRB remains open to dialogue with transport groups, but we urge them not to hold the commuting public hostage,” ayon kay Guadiz. RNT/MND
