Going on strike is not the best option to press your grievances.
This was the message given by authorities to jeepney drivers who plan to join the nationwide transport strike on Monday, July 21.
Organizers of the nationwide strike said they will highlight their collective opposition to the implementation of the transportation department’s Joint Administrative Order 24-01 which imposes heavy penalties on various offenses, which include the slapping of P1 million fine on bus operators caught operating a colorum unit.
Ahmed Cuizon, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7), said the jeepney drivers should reconsider their strike call as he reiterated his stand that the best way to resolve their concerns is by pursuing legal remedies.
“It is best that legal remedies are pursued such as dialogue with our national government officials and submit the matter to court decision,” Cuizon told Cebu Daily News.
“If they would just consider the suggestions then it will not be inconvenient to the public.”
A representative of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board appealed to the transport groups to reconsider their plan to go on a two-day strike and instead limit their protest action to just one day.
Appearing in a news conference of the National Confederation of Transport operator’s Union (NCTU) and Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), Jose Tumongha of the wages board said a lot of people especially the workers and students would be inconvenienced by the planned strike.
“We understand their concerns and are not opposed to it, we supported their appeal for the joint review and consider consultation with the transport group,” he said.
Romeo Armamento, vice president of the NCTU, said they will call off the planned mass action only if they get a firm commitment from the DOTC that they will suspend the implementation of the JAO.
Armamento also urged the local governments to order the suspension of work and classes on Monday.
“Gibuhat na namo tanan nga mga advisory aron maka-pangandam ang eskwelahan, malls, government agencies, ug uban pa nga mga establisimento, kung dili man sila makahibalo nga dunay strike, dili gyud na ma blame namo tanan. (We already issued the necessary advisories so that all, including schools, malls, government agencies and other establishments, are forewarned of the strike. No one could blame us that they were not informed of the mass action.)” he said. /With Le-an Lai Lacaba, intern
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