A MILITANT transport group said the proposed bill, which intends to protect commuters, does not respond to the major problem of drivers and operators, the unabated increase in oil prices.

George San Mateo, national secretary general of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston), said while the group is supportive of modernizing the transport industry, the proposed Commuters Welfare Act proposed by the 1-United Transport Koalition (1-UTAK) is only meant to boost the latter's image in preparation for the 2010 elections.

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"1-UTAK does not mention any plans or bills to fight the current unabated weekly oil price increases, combined with the unjust and excessive traffic lines wreaking havoc on the lives of ordinary public transport drivers, operators and even the ordinary motorists and consumers," San Mateo said.

San Mateo added that 1-UTAK's "ambitious projects are intended more to divert the drivers' and operators' attention from their real problem like high oil prices."

1-UTAK espoused a bill providing for an interconnected transport system to provide commuters seamless travel.

He said the move of 1-UTAK to divert the attention of the drivers and operators will not materialize as Piston will continue to be vigilant for its members.

"1-UTAK will fail in fooling the drivers and operators for we, in Piston, will continue to uphold and defend the drivers and operators' interests and rights to have a decent living and to protect our democratic rights through our collective actions," he said.

1-UTAK party-list Representative Vigor Mendoza II said earlier the group is also moving towards the upliftment of the economic status of drivers through provisions of alternative livelihoods to their families.