Transport groups call off participation in strike

One of the passenger buses were blocked by striking drivers along Natalio Bacalso Ave infront the office of Land Transportation office.The drivers protested the higher traffic violation fees impossed by DOTC.(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Two Cebu-based transport groups have withdrawn its participation in Monday’s transport strike after they were given an assurance by Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya that the implementation of a controversial administrative order that imposed hefty fines and penalties on various offenses will be placed under review.

Romeo Armamento, vice president for the Visayas of the National Confederation of Transport Workers Union (NCTWU), said Abaya gave his word in a meeting with Cebu transport group leaders yesterday morning.

Armamento said yesterday’s meeting in Manila was facilitated by Cebu City Rep. Raul Del Mar. Others present in the dialogue were: Transportation Undersecretary Edwin Lopez, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Alfonso Tan, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Executive Director Roberto Cabrera.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, chairman of the Cebu Integrated Transport Cooperative (Citrasco), was also in the meeting.

Both NCTWU and Citrasco announced the decision to call off their participation in Monday’s nationwide strike.

“Nakita man gud ni Secretary Abaya ang atong sinseridad ug pinaagi usab sa tabang ni Congressman Del Mar, mao nga mihatag siya og konsiderasyon,” (Secretary Abaya saw our sincerity on the issues and so with the help of Congressman Del Mar, he gave consideration to our appeal) Armamento said.

Citrasco’s Yu appealed to his group’s members to stand down and give way to what the DOTC chief had promised.

“I am appealing to Citrasco members not to go on with the planned strike tungod kay ang atong tumong gyud is makakuha ta ug concrete action from DOTC. Karon nihatag na man nila so wala nay point mo padayon pa ta sa strike. Ang kinahanglan nato karon is mag tinabangay ta aron makab-ot nato ang atong tinguha sa pag paayo sa atong sector (Our aim to get a concrete action from the DOTC has been achieved. Now that they promised to look into our sentiments, there is no point to continue with the strike. What we need to do now is to help each other in pushing for the betterment of our sector),” he said.

Greg Perez, coordinator in Cebu of the Pinagka-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), said the planned protest action will go on as they’re unfazed with the withdrawal of the two organizations.

“Kanang Citrasco ug NCTWU, lahi na sila. Wala me labot kung unsa na ilaha. Ang amo lang manawagan lang mi kay kaming mga drivers apektado mi (Citrasco and NCTWI are different from us. We don’t have anything to do with what they’re upto. What we wanted to do is to air our appeal as we drivers are very much affected),” he told Cebu Daily News.

He said they will highlight local issues in Monday’s protest action.

“Puro na lang no-stopping diri sa Mandaue City. Wala’y klaro nga lugar kung asa mi pwede makahunong nya ang luoy ang mga driver kay madakpan (Here in Mandaue City, there are many no-stopping areas. Authorities have not been clear where are we allowed to stop to drop and pick up passengers. The drivers bear the brunt and they end up getting apprehended),” he said.

Perez however, clarified that Monday’s action is not a strike, but a simple protest action.

“Ang among buhaton dili na siya strike kun dili protesta lang usa ka panawagan sa atong gobyerno (What we’ll be doing is not a strike but a protest action to call the attention of government),” he said.

He said that Piston members, which he said numbers around 200, will not ply their routes in the morning to enable them to join the protest. Perez however, refuses to consider the transport stoppage as a strike, an action punishable under their franchise.