MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday denied accusations of failing to address concerns of the public transportation sector following the announcement of a three-day strike from a transport group. ‘The DOTr denies the accusations of Manibela’s [chair Mar] Valbuena that the agency failed to address the various concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators,’ it said in a statement. The DOTr pointed out that there have been consultations in ‘the past many weeks’ between the agency, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, and operators on concerns such as the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP). ‘The DOTr, LTFRB, and OTC are open and willing to hold dialogues with any group who has legitimate concerns and we vow to address such concerns through consultations and forum,’ it said. It added that the LTFRB has ‘always been fair’ in implementing its mandate based on the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines to both corporations and cooperatives. The DOTr challenged Manibela to prove their allegations with ‘concrete proof and evidence.’ ‘Clearly, their planned ‘strike’ is intended to gain media attention and public sympathy, but not to address the legitimate concerns of PUV drivers and operators,’ it said. The agency said that the group is free to stage any form of protest but the DOTr ‘will not be held hostage.’ ‘The whole country and innocent commuters will not be blackmailed every time this group does not get what it wants,’ it said. DOTr issued the statement after transport group Manibela announced its plans to stage a three-day transport strike beginning July 24, the day of President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ second State of the Nation Address (SONA), due to the government’s alleged inability to address their concerns. In particular, Valbuena alleged preferential treatment towards corporations or local government units and against cooperatives in the awarding of PUV routes. (PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency