Puj Strike Again?

[Medic Mike]

This time, there’s advance warning.

Stranded passengers scramble for a jeepney in Cebu City during the last June 19 transport strike by Piston Cebu. Desperate scenes like this played out in cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu because there was no advance notice of the strike. (CDN FILEPHOTO)

Tomorrow morning, fewer jeepneys are expected in Metro Cebu in a repeat of last month’s protest by drivers and operators bucking a national policy increasing fines up to P1 million for transport violations of colorum buses.

“Siguro naay paralysis inig ka buntag (There will likely be transport paralysis in the morning)” said Greg Perez, Cebu coordinator of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON – Cebu) in a press conference yesterday.

“Among gi-awhag ang publiko nga kung walay importante kaayong lakaw, mag pundo lang sa ilang balay.(We are asking the public to just stay home if they don’t have important trips to make.),”

Leaders wouldn’t call it a “strike”, which would make the activity illegal.

They said their 500 members would attend a Cebu City Council public forum from 8:30 a.m to 12 noon at City Hall where their objections to the Joint Administrative Order (JAO 2014-01) and other city traffic rules would be discussed.

Perez assured passengers that Piston member will return to their routes and drive in the afternoon when the forum ends.

Last June 19, public transport was almost crippled in Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu cities and outlying areas by a sudden Piston-led transport strike. Jeepneys vanished from the roads although taxis were still available. The strike was lifted at noon but thousands were still stranded as the effect of the disruption lasted past 5 p.m.

“I want to make it clear that the public consultation will not change the law,” said Arnel Trancinco, regional director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“The JAO has already been signed by Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and implemented.”

Cebu City Hall will again field its Kaohsiung buses to ferry stranded commuters for free, as needed. However, the 28 available units are not enough to cope with a riding population of several thousands.

In Mandaue city, ten trucks and buses are being readied for a bigger nationwide transport strike confirmed on July 21, Monday.

City Councilor Gerard Carillo, head of the council’s transportation committee, appealed for Piston members not to repeat their work stoppage and inconvenience the public.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will not be around tomorrow to cool them off again, the way he persuaded Piston Cebu to lift their June 19 strike at noon by promising to take up their demands with transport officials in Manila.

Rama is leaving for the United States tomorrow, and is letting Vice Mayor Edgar Labella to take charge.

“I was in Manila and tried to get in touch (with transport officials) but I wasn’t able to connect with them. But we have been very clear that penalties should not be punitive but corrective,” Rama told reporters.

The mayor urged the protestor to elevate their complaints in court.

“They can go to court to have the matter properly ventilated. What is the legal basis of the order? If there is basis, was there a public hearing and consultation,” he said.

While the mayor said he agrees with higher fines for colorum vehicle operators, the fines for drivers who only have their PUJ or bus routes as a means of livelihood shoudn’t be as steep.

“It must be taken with much circumspection” he said where penalties are tantamount to “oppression and confiscation.”

Under the JAO colorum bus operators are fined P1 million; truck and van operators, P200,000; sedan operators, P120,000; jeepney owners, P50,000; and motorcycle operators, P6,000.

Piston said they want the government to scrap JAO 2014-01, a revised schedule of fines and penalties for transport rules.

The schedule includes common violations such as refusal to convey passengers to their destination; overcharging; reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating PUVs with defective parts; using tampered taximeters; and trip cutting.

It was first implemented last June 19 , triggering a nationwide one-day transport strike.

Piston is also opposing Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Direct Order 2008 -39 applying higher fines and suspension of drivers’ license.

They also oppose Cebu City Ordinance 2207, where traffic fines range from P500 to P5,000.

Citom and traffic police been more aggressive this year by following up cases in court and serving bench warrants issued for drivers with multiple violations.

Other demands include a P6 fuel subsidy for all gasoline stations and removal of the 12 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fuel./with Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/36022/puj-strike-again

[Medic Mike]

CITIES of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have to get their act together to cope with a bigger nationwide transportation strike set for July 21, Monday.

“We’re ready. We’re glad the protestors informed us ahead as well as the public so there will be fewer people who get stranded,” said Joy Tumulak, Citom operations chief in Cebu City.

He said he is coordinating with counterparts Frank Brazil in Lapu-Lapu City and Edwin Ermac of Mandaue City in case major routes in the three cities will be affected.

“We will tap the other local government units o they would also ferry people from their areas going to Cebu City,” Tumulak said.

In Mandaue City, protesting drivers will hold a protest march from the Pacific Mall to Mandaue City Hall in the morning on July 21. They will return to their routes by the afternoon.

“We assume that the transport system of Mandaue will be paralayzed because of the strike on July 21,” said Ermac, head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM).

On the positive side, “at least the drivers groups announced it ahead. We can prepare for it.

Mandaue’s TEAM is read to field 10 trucks and buses for free rides on July 21. Ermac said they will look for five more units to make it 15.

Pick-up points will be announced a day before the strike.

“We expect the worse but we hope for the best,” said Ermac.

Citom executive director Rafael Yap was dismayed by the planned strike.

“The operation of a public utility is a privilege, not a right. Their certificate of public convenience states it is illegal for them to strike. Commuters end up being inconvenienced by their action,” Yap said.

He said Citom will help ensure commuters can find a ride during the emergency.

As usual, Citom will field its Kaohsiung buses and barangay vehicles.

Citom will also go easy on apprehending non-striking PUJs that travel outside their authorized route “as long as they inform the LTFRB,” said Tumulak.

At least 10,000 jeepney and bus drivers in Cebu are expected the join the strike.

[Jake]

Hey Doc,

 

It's good to see that the city government has planned for any contingencies.  I'm just waiting for the

finger pointing to begin, once all hell breaks loose......he, he.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Jake
spil ckeh

[Medic Mike]

To ease the plight of stranded passengers today, buses will be allowed to travel outside of their usual routes in Metro Cebu without having to apply for special permits.

“The authorized fare is P10 in all routes,” said Ahmed Cuizon, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7), who signed the memorandum yesterday.

The order was issued in anticipation of a work stoppage in the morning by protesting jeepney drivers.

There are 14 buses for Bulacao to Talamban with five buses for Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue to City, all Ceres buses from Vallacar Transit.

The Cebu City Council is expecting a big crowd in today’s 9 a.m. public hearing aimed to hear sentiments of drivers and operators on the higher penalties for transport violations under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.

Since the session hall seats 120 people, authorities will regulate the entry of participants to avoid overcrowding. Piston Cebu earlier said their 500 members would join the forum.

“If all 500 drivers -attend, what for?” asked Mayor Michael Rama, who appealed to transport groups to just send their leaders to the hearing and let the rest of the drivers continue plying their routes.

Loudspeakers will be mounted outside the session hall so that more people can hear the discussions.

The PISTON-Cebu warned that public transportation would be affected this morning since protesting members would go to City Hall for the forum.

 

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/36068/buses-mobilized-vs-jeep-strike