|
Thursday, March 18, 2004
LTFRB-CL says no order yet on drivers' demands
By Minerva Zamora-Arceo
LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Central Luzon director Veronica Lasaten said Wednesday national agencies are still conducting a joint hearing on the demands of public utility jeepney drivers for an additional P1 fare increase and more discounts on petroleum products.
Lasaten said officers of the Pinagkaisang mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) Pampanga chapter led by Waldy Santos have met with her last Tuesday to "remind" LTFRB of its task to resolve their plight.
At least 10 Piston members also went to the LTFRB to monitor the dialogue between Lasaten and their officers.
According to Lasaten, Santos' group did not hold a picket and even promised to inform the LTFRB should they launch another transport strike in the future pending the resolution of their demands.
Lasaten added that Santos requested during the dialogue that should LTFRB deploy vehicle services to the public during strike, they must be accompanied by the police so Piston would identify them.
Last month, Piston and other transport groups held transport strike that has paralyzed work and business in the province.
Some 15,000 drivers and operators in the province demanded a P1 increase in minimum fare and the immediate rollback of oil prices.
The Pampanga transport groups are also pushing for the imposition of uniform prices nationwide including those of the biggest oil companies in the Philippines.
Poncing Infante, Piston Pampanga spokesperson, earlier said the groups will not settle for discounts allowed by the new and smaller gasoline stations in Metro Manila.
"Since February 2002, increase in oil prices sum up to P5.38 which resulted in the prices of basic commodities, water and electricity rates to continuously shoot up. Whatever little earning we do manage to bring home to our families can never be enough to provide our families the most basic needs," Infante said.
"However, no matter how much the prices of basic commodities rise, there has not been any fare hike these last four years. But even if Mrs. Arroyo's government admits that an average family needs P534 daily to live fairly and decently, our demands have fallen on deaf ears knowing fully well that a driver can hardly take home a measly P125 after 12-hour-work," Infante added.
(March 18, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
