ALTODAP to PISTON, MANIBELA: Hindi na uso ngayon ang strike

The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) on Saturday said it will not join the planned strike of two transport groups next week and said holding one is no longer called for.

"Hindi po [kami sasama sa transport strike]," ALTODAP president Melencio "Boy" Vargas said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(We will not join it.)

"Ang Magnificent 7 [group] po, kami po ay hindi sasama sa kanilang binabalak na tigil-pasada," he said. The said organization is composed of seven transport groups.

(The Magnificent 7 will not join the planned transport strike.)

Vargas also had a message for Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON).

"Hindi na uso ngayon ang strike. 'Yan po ay pinagdaanan na namin. Kami po ay nag-strike noon, nu'ng nakaraan. Noong panahon ni GMA, kami 'yung nag-90% strike," he said.

(Holding a strike is no longer called for. We already did that before. During the time of [former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo], we were the ones who conducted a 90% strike.)

"Sa ngayon, huwag naman nating pahirapan ‘yung ating mga mananakay. Kasi unang-una, binigyan naman sila ng pagkakataon. Hindi naman sila sumunod eh. Ilang extension na po ito. Nagkasama-sama rin kami, nag-usap-usap kami pero siyempre, may kanya-kanya tayong pananaw," Vargas added.

(For now, let us not make it hard for commuters. First of all, they [transport groups] were given an opportunity [to consolidate]. They did not comply. The government already gave several extensions [of the deadline]. We were able to talk about this but of course, we all have our own views.)

PISTON and MANIBELA on Thursday announced that they would hold a nationwide transport strike next week amid the looming deadline for consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators. 

The transport strike will last for two days and will start on Monday, April 15.

MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena said they expect some 30,000 jeepney drivers to join the protest in the National Capital Region and at least 100,000 others to join nationwide. 

"Madali naman magsalita ng ganu'n karami (30,000). Pero siguro makikita na lang natin doon sa actual, sa Lunes, kung talagang gaano sila kadami," Vargas said.

(It is easy to say they have that much numbers [who will join the strike]. But maybe we can see during the actual [strike] on Monday, if they are that many.)

"Kasi nangyari na po 'yan eh. Ilang beses na sila nag-strike. Pero siyempre, ginagalang natin ang kanilang pananaw," he added.

(This happened before. They conducted a strike several times. But of course we respect their views.)

Vargas said ALTODAP will continue servicing routes for the benefit of commuters.

"Sa bahagi naman po namin, ang tinitingnan namin ay 'yung mga pasahero na maaapektuhan. Sino naman ang maaapektuhan? Ang maapektuhan dito ay ‘yung mga mananakay. Bakit idadamay natin ‘yung mga mananakay?" he said.

(On our part, we are concerned about the commuters who will be affected [by the strike]. Who will be affected? The commuters will be affected. Why will we inconvenience commuters?)

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced that there would be no more extension of the application for consolidation of individual public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to form or join transportation cooperatives.

After several extensions, Marcos in late January set the new deadline for the consolidation on April 30, 2024.

"Ang tinitiyak lang namin, hindi na mapabigat pa ang babayaran at iuutang ng driver-operator kaya ginagawa nating maayos at well-organized 'yung sistema na 'yan,'' he added.

(We are ensuring that it will not be a burden to the driver-operator, that's why we established a very good and organized system.)

In January, Marcos approved the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) recommendation to extend the deadline for PUV operators to join or put up transportation cooperatives or corporations until April 30, 2024.

The consolidation is the initial stage of the government's PUV Modernization Program that aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Vargas on Saturday urged jeepney operators and drivers to consolidate.

"At saka ganito lang naman 'yan, tungkol sa consolidation. Hindi porke nakapag-consolidation ay pipilitin kayo agad na mag-modern eh," he said, adding that one is given 27 months after consolidation to procure a modern jeepney.

(It's like this. It doesn't mean that once you consolidate, you have to immediately use a modern jeepney.)

Vargas said his group is asking the DOTr to help jeepney operators and drivers to get loans from banks.

"Sa ngayon, medyo mahirap [mag-loan] sa bangko dahil mabusisi ang bangko dahil siyempre talaga naman pong sinisiguro nila na pagka uutang ka ay makakabayad ka," he said.

(For now it is a bit hard to get a loan from the bank because of stringent requirements. They want to be sure that those who will get a loan will be able to pay.)

"Kinakausap namin si Secretary, ipatawag 'yung dalawang bangko para huwag namang pahirapan," Vargas said.

(We are urging the [DOTr] Secretary to ask the two banks not to give us a hard time.)

Vargas also said ALTODAP is hoping that the government will put up a fund that will offer loans to jeepney operators and drivers so they can buy modern jeepneys.

"Ako po, sa sarili kong pananaw, sa ALTODAP po, ang sabi ko kay Secretary, sana gumawa na ang gobyerno ng sariling pondo na para sila na lang ang makapagpautang para naman mabilis maging successful itong modernization. Eh sila na po ang magpondo," he said.

(In my opinion, in ALTODAP's opinion, as I told the Secretary, we are hoping the government will put up its own fund that can grant loans so this PUV modernization will be done faster and will be successful. They should fund it.)

Vargas also said the Magnificent 7 talked to former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson who expressed willingness to help the transport sector.

Singson will produce modernized jeepneys which will be paid for by jeepney operators in installment, similar to a boundary system.

Vargas said the DOTr is aware of this discussion with Singson.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB on Thursday said it would offer Libreng Sakay (free ride program) to help commuters who will be affected in the two-day transport strike on April 15-16. —KG, GMA Integrated News