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Sunday, March 07, 2004
Drivers postpone strike for fare hearing, fuel discounts
By Elias O. Baquero
NO TRANSPORT strike will be staged tomorrow, after the Alyansa sa Nagkahiusang Drivers Alang sa Reporma (Andar) held a series of consultations with other groups.
Andar president Jaime Moncada said they decided against going on strike after they were informed that oil companies will roll back prices of diesel fuel by P1, and that a hearing on their fare increase petition has been set on March 16.
Moncada said it is difficult for them to launch a strike when big transport groups in Manila, like the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers of the Philippines (Fedjodap) and the Pinag-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), will not go on with theirs.
Anthony Pogado, president of the Nagkahiusang Drivers sa Sugbo (Nadsu), also said they will continue plying their routes tomorrow.
Higher by P1
Steve Cañas (Vudtrasco) and Benjie Yu (Citrasco) said whatever move they make will depend on the decision of other transport groups.
Jaime Dumdum, chairman of the Office of the Transport Cooperatives (OTC), informed Cañas that leaders of Fedjodap and Piston and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza met yesterday and set the March 16 hearing.
Although registered with the Cooperative Development Authority, Vudtrasco and Citrasco are also registered with the OTC, which is under the Office of the President.
Cañas said that while Manila drivers are demanding a P1.50 fare increase, drivers in Cebu are asking for only P1.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Maria Elena Bautista is reportedly still studying the effects a higher fare on the riding public.
Cañas said that even if the issue on fare is resolved, they will continue to protest against the transport policies of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management.
One of their major issues is One Citilink Terminal, which jeepney drivers from southern Cebu are allegedly forced to use, to the inconvenience of drivers and passengers.
The jeepney drivers also oppose a city ordinance requiring them to install emergency alarm devices in their units.
(March 7, 2004 issue)
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