NO TO TRANSPORT STRIKE. The Federation of Transport Operators in Central Luzon said on Friday (March 3, 2023) it will not join the planned nationwide transport strike next week. Members of the federation, composed of 16 transport groups in the provinces of Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga gathered at the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Office 3 to express their full support to the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. (Photo courtesy of LTFRB Region III)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Federation of Transport Operators in Central Luzon on Friday said it will not join the nationwide transport strike slated by other transport groups for next week.
Members of the federation, which is composed of 16 transport groups in the provinces of Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, gathered at the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Office 3 here to express their full support to the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
The groups assured that there will be no transportation disruptions in the region and that they are ready to provide services to the riding public that might be affected by the transport strike set on March 6-12.
Raul Dalaquit, chairman of the Carmexss Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative, said their association is not against the PUV modernization program and is in fact fully supporting it.
“Ipinaabot po naming sa aming mga nasasakupang mananakay na kami ay hindi kasama sa tigil-pasada. Suportado po namin ang PUV modernization program ng ating gobyerno at lahat po ng mga proyekto ng ating pamahalaan ay aming susuportahan (We would like to inform the riding public in our routes that we will not join the transport strike. We are in support to the government’s PUV modernization and we will support all the projects of the government,” Dalaquit said.
He told the riding public not to worry as they will go on with their normal operations.
“Kaya po namin na i-sustain ang aming operations para sa mga pasahero base na rin sa consolidated franchise and modernized jeeps ng ibat-ibang cooperatives dito sa aming lugar. So, ipanapaabot namin na huwag mabahala ang ating nasa eskwelahan, taong nagtatrabaho na sigurado po na meron kayong masasakyan (We can sustain our operations for the passengers based on our consolidated franchise and modernized jeeps of the different cooperatives here in our areas. So, we would like to convey to those who will go to the schools and their work that they should not worry as it is certain that there are public modes of transportation that they can ride),” Dalaguit added.
Roel Cura, chairman of the Tarlac Federation of Transport Cooperative, likewise said they will not join the nationwide transport strike and assured the public that there will be no transportation disruption in their province.
"Ang Murcia Tarlac Capas Bamban Transport Service Cooperative at ang Tarlac Federation of Transport Cooperative na meron 17 na bilang na kooperatiba ay hindi lalahok sa transport strike o tigil pasada. Kami po ay susuporta sa programa ng gobyerno at magse-serbisyo sa buong probinsiya ng Tarlac (The Murcia Tarlac Capas Bamban Transport Service Cooperative and the Tarlac Federation of Transport Cooperative which has 17 cooperatives will not participate in the transport strike. We will support the program of the government and we will service the entire province of Tarlac),” Cura said.
Likewise, Albert Garcia, president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers (FEDJODA)-San Fernando, said their association would not join the transport strike, saying it is better to negotiate with the government with regard to the modernization program so that the livelihood of jeepney drivers, as well as the public, would not be affected.
Meanwhile, the city government of San Fernando has readied two trucks to provide free and persons with disability (PWD)-friendly rides to the public in preparation for the transport strike.
Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag said the vehicles will be on hand to aid the would-be affected commuting public, especially those going to and coming from neighboring towns.
Several local government units in the region such as Mabalacat City in Pampanga and Tarlac City have suspended face-to-face classes to avoid disruptions in the academic calendar amid the planned transport strike. (PNA)
