Tomorrow in Metro Cebu, nationwide on July 21
This time, there’s advance warning.
Stranded passengers scramble for a jeepney in Cebu City during the last June 19 transport strike by Piston Cebu. Desperate scenes like this played out in cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu because there was no advance notice of the strike. (CDN FILEPHOTO)
Tomorrow morning, fewer jeepneys are expected in Metro Cebu in a repeat of last month’s protest by drivers and operators bucking a national policy increasing fines up to P1 million for transport violations of colorum buses.
“Siguro naay paralysis inig ka buntag (There will likely be transport paralysis in the morning)” said Greg Perez, Cebu coordinator of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON – Cebu) in a press conference yesterday.
“Among gi-awhag ang publiko nga kung walay importante kaayong lakaw, mag pundo lang sa ilang balay.(We are asking the public to just stay home if they don’t have important trips to make.),”
Leaders wouldn’t call it a “strike”, which would make the activity illegal.
They said their 500 members would attend a Cebu City Council public forum from 8:30 a.m to 12 noon at City Hall where their objections to the Joint Administrative Order (JAO 2014-01) and other city traffic rules would be discussed.
Perez assured passengers that Piston member will return to their routes and drive in the afternoon when the forum ends.
Last June 19, public transport was almost crippled in Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu cities and outlying areas by a sudden Piston-led transport strike. Jeepneys vanished from the roads although taxis were still available. The strike was lifted at noon but thousands were still stranded as the effect of the disruption lasted past 5 p.m.
“I want to make it clear that the public consultation will not change the law,” said Arnel Trancinco, regional director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“The JAO has already been signed by Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and implemented.”
Cebu City Hall will again field its Kaohsiung buses to ferry stranded commuters for free, as needed. However, the 28 available units are not enough to cope with a riding population of several thousands.
In Mandaue city, ten trucks and buses are being readied for a bigger nationwide transport strike confirmed on July 21, Monday.
City Councilor Gerard Carillo, head of the council’s transportation committee, appealed for Piston members not to repeat their work stoppage and inconvenience the public.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will not be around tomorrow to cool them off again, the way he persuaded Piston Cebu to lift their June 19 strike at noon by promising to take up their demands with transport officials in Manila.
Rama is leaving for the United States tomorrow, and is letting Vice Mayor Edgar Labella to take charge.
“I was in Manila and tried to get in touch (with transport officials) but I wasn’t able to connect with them. But we have been very clear that penalties should not be punitive but corrective,” Rama told reporters.
The mayor urged the protestor to elevate their complaints in court.
“They can go to court to have the matter properly ventilated. What is the legal basis of the order? If there is basis, was there a public hearing and consultation,” he said.
While the mayor said he agrees with higher fines for colorum vehicle operators, the fines for drivers who only have their PUJ or bus routes as a means of livelihood shoudn’t be as steep.
“It must be taken with much circumspection” he said where penalties are tantamount to “oppression and confiscation.”
Under the JAO colorum bus operators are fined P1 million; truck and van operators, P200,000; sedan operators, P120,000; jeepney owners, P50,000; and motorcycle operators, P6,000.
Piston said they want the government to scrap JAO 2014-01, a revised schedule of fines and penalties for transport rules.
The schedule includes common violations such as refusal to convey passengers to their destination; overcharging; reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating PUVs with defective parts; using tampered taximeters; and trip cutting.
It was first implemented last June 19 , triggering a nationwide one-day transport strike.
Piston is also opposing Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Direct Order 2008 -39 applying higher fines and suspension of drivers’ license.
They also oppose Cebu City Ordinance 2207, where traffic fines range from P500 to P5,000.
Citom and traffic police been more aggressive this year by following up cases in court and serving bench warrants issued for drivers with multiple violations.
Other demands include a P6 fuel subsidy for all gasoline stations and removal of the 12 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fuel./with Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac
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