LTFRB warns group eyeing to hold transport strike

Facade of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board office. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) cautioned a group eyeing to hold  a transport strike aimed to condemn the supposed inaction on plea for a fare hike amid rising fuel prices.

In a statement Wednesday, the LTFRB denied it did not act on the petition filed by the Liga ng mga Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) with other groups in October.

“May mga pagbabanta na magsasagawa ng tigil-pasada ang mga miyembro ng LTOP dahil sa pag balewala di umano ng ahensya sa kanilang panawagan,” the LTFRB statement read.

(There are warnings that members of the LTOP will hold a transport strike because of the supposed inaction of the agency on their appeal.)

“Ngunit, paalala ng pamunuan ng LTFRB na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang ganitong porma ng protesta dahil ang pagkakaroon ng prangkisa ay isang pribilehiyo at may kaakibat na tungkulin sa publiko,” it added.

(However, the LTFRB reminds them that this kind of protest is strictly prohibited because having a franchise is a privilege and has corresponding responsibilities to the public.)

The LTFRB called on the group to no longer push through with the transport strike. The agency, however, said it stands ready to use its resources to address the effects of the possible transport strike.

In October last year, the LTOP, together with the Pangkalahatang Sangguniang Manila & Suburbs Drivers and Association, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators – Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization filed a petition asking for a fare hike, noted the LTFRB.

The LTFRB said the petitioners were asked, through an order, to provide proof that they furnished the Office of the Solicitor General a copy of their petition in accordance with Rule 12 Section 2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Board.

“Nakasaad din sa nasabing Order, na pormal na natanggap ng mga petitioner, at mayroon silang limang (5) araw para mag-comply ng mga kulang na dokumento. Ngunit sa kabila nito ay hindi sila nakapag-sumite sa takdang panahon, kung kaya’t nagresulta ito ng pagka-dismiss ng kanilang petisyon,” it added.

(The order, which was formally received by the petitioner, that they were given five days to comply with submission of more documents. But despite this, they were not able to make a submission on time, that’s why this resulted in the dismissal of the petition.)

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The LTFRB said the LTOP can refile its earlier petition or lodge a new one with sufficient documents.

While the fare hike appeal was denied, the LTFRB said the government provided assistance to the transport sector.

It said that 5,736 public utility units involving 11,173 drivers were given payouts and incentives under the Service Contracting Program that was funded under the 2021 national budget.

The government, the LTFRB also said, gave P7,200 to operators for each unit covered by the Fuel Subsidy Program.

JPV