Poe setting up Tugade-Piston meet in Senate

Piston head George San Mateo (left) and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (right) may finally have the dialogue that they want regarding the jeepney modernization program of the government if they attend the Senate hearing set by Sen. Grace Poe on Dec. 7, 2017. INQUIRER FILES

Following the request of a transport group on Sunday, Senator Grace Poe will invite Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to attend the hearing of the Senate public services panel on Dec. 7.

“Iimbitahan ko si Secretary Tugade. Inaasahan natin na dadalo siya sapagkat mahalaga ang pagdinig na ito at nakasalalay ang kapakanan ng napakarami,” Poe said in a statement on Sunday.

“Pagkakataon ni Secretary Tugade na ilatag sa madla ang kanyang mga plano at ipahiwatig ang kanyang malasakit,” she added.

Poe’s statement came after No to Jeepney Phase-out Coaltion led by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), called off its slated transport strike on Monday to Tuesday and expressed their hope to discuss their concerns with Tugade.

READ: Jeepney strike cancelled by protest leaders

The senator welcomed the groups’ move and vowed to listen to their demands in relation to the Department of Transportation’s ongoing public utility vehicle modernization program, which the groups said would inevitably lead to a jeepney phase-out. /cbb

READ: Poe hails jeepney strike cancellation, vows open ear to drivers