SDL seeks ‘win-win solution’ over La Carlota tension

Monday, February 13, 2012

AMID the escalating exchanges of heated words and accusations between the members of the small bus SDL lines and its splinter group La Carlota City (LCC) Express, the former aired that they are for win-win solution.

But it quickly clarified that it is possible only when parties concerned listen to each other, deal openly not discreetly and treacherously, and come to the negotiating table and present their respective cards with sincerity and transparency.

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This was the statement of SDL member Noreen Diaz to Sun.Star over the weekend in an attempt to cool down the tensions in La Carlota.

Diaz said all they have been fighting all along is equal fare, fair competition and protection of City Government from the reported monopolistic moves of Ceres bus company and that they have nothing personal or political against LCC members, many of whom are also their close friends.

“We have no intention of destroying Mayor Juliet Ferrer nor the LCC members. All we want is for the mayor to listen also to us, to our predicaments, our demands, and most important to protect us from any moves from any group that tend to monopolize the transport business rather than promote fair competition.”

“I know there have been intrigues and rumors that already confused or blurred our real issues and legitimate demands, and turned everything to seemingly personal and political conflicts. They are all not true,” Diaz said.

When we started to ask questions to the city about Ceres entry, demanded for dialogues, a new kind of conflicts arose, and sadly and surprisingly, mostly directed to us in SDL, and mostly concerning us and the city government, Diaz narrated.

Diaz clarified, “We are sorry for that. We did not mean it. All we have been demanding is equal fair rate at P30.00, fair competition, fair play by the LTFRB, and protection of small bus operators by the city government.”

Diaz appealed to Ferrer and the City Council of La Carlota for immediate dialogue “so that we can clarify and resolve for some win-win solutions.”

“We are for dialogue, contrary to intrigues that we are closed. We are for win-win solutions. We all know that it is not good for all of us, and the city of La Carlota, to keep this issue dragged for so long. Let us finish this and move forward,” Diaz stressed. (Karl G. Ombion)