Pasang Masda president to other transport groups: Stop misleading jeepney operators

Pro-modernization Pasang Masda president Obet Martin on Monday urged leaders of other transport groups to stop "misleading" jeepney operators regarding the program which aims to phase out jeepneys which are 15 years and older.

Pasang Masda did not participate in the transport strike which interrupted the morning routine of commuters during the first day of the work week.

"Sa mga leader na ito, let us all be constructive, 'wag tayong destructive. Ipaliwanag nating mabuti 'yung layunin ng DOTr [Department of Transportation], ano ba ang omnibus franchising guidelines, bakit ba kailangan mag-modernize?" Martin said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Hindi 'yung dadaanin natin sa transport holiday, pag-aaklas, pagwewelga. As a responsible leader, kailangan constructive ka, hindi ka destructive," he added.

Members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) were among those who joined the protest actions.

Information dissemination

Meanwhile, Martin underscored that information dissemination is key to educate jeepney operators regarding the modernization program.

"Kailangan lang ng kaukulang pagpapaliwanag sa mga kapwa operator sapagkat kailangan nilang maintindihan 'yung programa," he said.

"'Wag ho nating sabihing totally mahirap mag-apply ng loan, maraming requirements, eh hindi pa nila sinusubukan," he added.

According to Martin, operators will be assisted in acquiring modern public utility vehicle units by giving them a 5% subsidy from the government and a term of 7 years to pay under a 6% interest rate.

On the other hand, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) did not join the transport holiday even though it opposes the policy on cancellation of franchises under the modernization program.

"Hindi ho muna kami sumasama sa tigil-pasada sapagkat nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa DOTr at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] . Ang amin pong mga hinaing ay nasa Kongreso na at sa Senado so kailangan hintayin mo kung ano ba ang magiging desisyon dyan," said FEJODAP president Zeny Maranan.

Both Pasang Masda and FEJODAP requested those who joined the strike not to flag down and harass their members who chose to work.

"Sana'y wag naman ganoon kasi 'yung malayang pagpapahayag hindi namin sila kinokontra diyan... Huwag na sana nilang perwisyuhin 'yung mga nagsisipagpasada na magseserbisyo sa ating mga mananakay," Martin said. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News