BY IME SORNITO & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – To counter the three-day transport strike from Nov. 20 to 22, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 has assured the public of sufficient utility jeepney services, especially in Iloilo City. The strike, organized by groups of traditional jeepney operators, both consolidated and unconsolidated, aims to protest against the looming consolidation deadline.
LTFRB’s Assurance
Atty. Salvador Altura, LTFRB-6 legal counsel, highlighted the commitment of various transport cooperatives and corporations in the region to continue operations during the strike.
“Many cooperatives and corporations, particularly those from Iloilo City and province, have confirmed that they will not participate in the protest,” Altura said.
He specifically cited the Alliance for Peace Sustainable Development Transport Cooperative, led by Edgar Salarda, a former president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston)-Panay.
“Edgar Salarda, now leading a major transport cooperative and formerly associated with Piston, assures us that Piston no longer has a significant presence in Iloilo,” said Altura.
‘Libre Sakay’
To further mitigate the strike’s impact, the Iloilo City Government, in collaboration with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Public Safety Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), along with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), has prepared a “Libre Sakay” scheme for city employees and other commuters affected by the strike.
Starting at 6:30 a.m., six city government vans will be deployed at Arevalo Plaza, Jaro Plaza, and Mandurriao Plaza, with two buses stationed at Tagbak Terminal.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said efforts would be made to prevent any commuter from being stranded and mentioned the possibility of suspending classes if necessary.
No Suspension of Classes and Work
Despite the strike, the city government has announced that there will be no cancellation of classes or work.
“We have evaluated the situation and found it conducive to proceed with regular school and work activities,” the city government stated, emphasizing the continuous monitoring by the CDRRMO and PSTMO.
Position of Transport Groups
The “No to PUV Phaseout Coalition-Panay”, led by Warren Gangoso, represents operators and drivers opposing the government’s modernization program due to the high costs of modernized units. A unit costs P2.8 million.
Gangoso’s coalition, still largely unconsolidated, has urged others to join the strike.
Altura, however, warned of the consequences for protesters, including potential show-cause orders and expulsion from cooperatives or corporations.
Rizalito Alido, president of the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI), emphasized the strict monitoring of members, warning that participation in the strike could lead to expulsion.
He noted that while the majority of WVATCCI’s units are still traditional jeepneys, all members are expected to operate as usual.
Altura also pointed out the high rate of consolidated franchises in the region, minimizing the impact of individual traditional jeepneys on the transport system.
Of the 300 units under the WVATCCI allowed by the LTFRB to operate in the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), only 28 units are modernized, and more than 270 units are still traditional jeepneys.
“As usual, we have assured them that in the city of Iloilo, there is nothing to worry about. All jeepney units, in cooperatives and corporations, will operate,” said Alido.
Gangoso had claimed that 80 to 90 percent of the 2,500 consolidated and unconsolidated traditional jeepneys in the city and province of Iloilo will be joining the nationwide transport strike./PN
