CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) has warned drivers and operators anew from joining transport strike which is against its regulations.
Most public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators might not be aware of it, but they are not allowed to join any protest action that could disturb the flow of mass transportation as stipulated in their franchise, said LTFRB-10 regional director Aminoden Guro on Monday.
Guro issued the warning following the two-day transport strike being staged by the Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization (Stop and Go Transport Coalition) starting Monday, to oppose the government's planned jeepney modernization program.
Under the modernization program, old-model jeepneys, or those older than 15 years, will be replaced by electric-powered and Euro 4-compliant vehicles.
Stop and Go said the loan package of up to P1.6 million which will be provided to jeepney operators and drivers to be able to cope up with the phase-out plan is out of reach for ordinary drivers.
Guro warned those caught participating in the disruption of public transportation will be sanctioned. He said the penalty is backed up by precedents, as several drivers and operators found to have joined transport strikes in the past had been fined.
First-time offenders will pay a fine of P5,000; P10,000 for the second offense; and P15,000 for the third violation and the revocation of their franchise, he added.
Meanwhile, Guro said that the LTFRB-10 is ready to deploy buses to ferry commuters in case the strikers have succeeded in paralyzing the public transport through its “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) intervention.
He said the LTFRB will work together with the local government unit, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military in ensuring that passengers could go to their respective homes.
Guro said bus companies operating in the region had lent some of their buses to the agency for “Libreng Sakay” use.
In the city, the transport strike was hardly felt as most of the drivers here are not Stop and Go members. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)
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