Forum to underscore transport woes; group mulls massive strike 

A LOCAL transport group leader has expressed optimism that Negros Island-Wide Transport and Media Forum on Thursday, August 16, will underscore pressing issues and concerns hounding the transportation sector.

Diego Malacad, secretary-general of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc), Wednesday, August 15, said officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Western Visayas, and Bacolod City Government will serve as panel at the forum to be held at the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center.

Malacad said the panel is expected to answer questions from various transport groups and associations as well as members of the media concerning the transport sector in the region.

“We will also present and discuss some memorandum circulars implemented by the government without due consultations from the public,” he said, adding that “we will let them answer our long overdue questions.”

Among the major concerns to be brought up by the transport group include the “fake modernization program” of the government and the delayed issuance of the new fare matrix in Western Visayas.

On the non-issuance of fare matrix, Undoc has earlier hit LTFRB- Western Visayas director Richard Osmeña for allegedly shying away from answering questions from transport groups and the media.

Malacad said that aside from the delay on issuing the fare matrix, Osmeña should justify the reported reduction of the approved fare hike, from P2.50 to P2.00.

Osmeña, in a report, said the P2.00 fare increase for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will take effect in the second week of August.

He said LTFRB Central Office took into consideration the recommendations of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to reduce the fare hike by P0.50.

In June, the agency first announced a P2.50 increase resulting in a fare rate of P9.00 for regular passengers and P7.50 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students.

Once implemented, the final rate would be P8.50 for regular passengers and P7.00 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students.

Malacad asked: “Why it was reduced?” He added that “the approved fare rate during the February 5 consultation was P9.00 with gasoline price that time was about P40 per liter. Now, the pump price is about P43 so the fare should even be higher instead.”

The transport group leader further said that if the LTFRB cannot justify such move, they are planning to make a resolution calling for the resignation of Osmeña.

If he will not step down, Malacad said they will hold massive transport strike on August 20 to 25 or during the MassKara Festival celebration in October.

“There is no more reason for him (Osmeña) to avoid us,” he said, adding that “we also seek clarification on reports saying that the LTFRB Office in Bacolod City is only until August 30.”

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