LTFRB eyes dialogue with Piston to call off Nov 20 transport strike

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is seeking a dialogue with the transport group in an attempt to persuade them to call off the planned three-day nationwide transport strike beginning November 20.

LTFRB Spokesperson Celine Pialago said that the agency is simply “one call away” and that there is still time for the group to cancel the transport strike that is slated to begin on Monday, November 20.

“To Piston, there’s still time. LTFRB is just one call away if you want to cancel the strike tomorrow and instead use the time to talk to Chairman Guadiz. Our office is open,” she said in an interview on DZBB SuperRadyo.

But Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide’s (Piston), in a text message, clarified that as of Sunday afternoon, there have been no talks between them and LTFRB.

READ: Piston sets 3-day nationwide transport strike starting Monday, Nov 20

In response to Pialago’s statement, Piston National President Mody Floranda said that the transport group is also open for dialogues.

However, he made it clear that the nationwide strike will push through on Monday.

“Piston is also open to talk to LTFRB. Our strike centers are open tomorrow and in the coming days so that they can see for themselves the conditions of drivers and operators,” Floranda said in a text message to Inquirer.net.

Piston on Wednesday announced a three-day nationwide transport strike to protest the approaching deadline for the consolidation of traditional public utility jeepneys on December 31.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB has since stressed that it remains firm with the set deadline on the consolidation of traditional jeepneys.