DOTr Line Agency to Sanction Transport Groups Joining Strikes

The Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) has issued an advisory which warned that all accredited transport cooperatives joining transport strikes will have their accreditation automatically revoked.

This after the announcement of a transport strike led by transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) on Monday, September 30.

In the advisory, the OTC said the automatic revocation is applicable to transport cooperatives who join "any transport strikes/protests by any transport groups or organizations."

The OTC also reminded its constituents of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) Memorandum Circular 2011-004, which states "the PUV operator shall not resort to cessation of service as a sign or demonstration of protest against any government decision or action under pain of suspension or cancellation of the authority to operative granted by the (LTFRB)."

It added that PUV operators shall also not allow any personnel to "join other committing acts prejudicial to the riding public including but not limited to paralyzing transport services by intimidation, coercion or violence."

On Friday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) warned drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) who plan to participate in tomorrow's transport holiday.

In a statement, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Communications Goddes Hope Libiran said joining the planned transport strike is a "blatant disregard to their duty."

"May responsibilidad po sila sa mga pasahero nila (They have a responsibility to their passengers)," Libiran said.

The official reiterated DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade's call when he said a PUV franchise is a privilege and not a right--it can be revoked if they fail to honor their responsibilities.

"Maaari pong bawiin ‘yan kung sila mismo ay hindi tumutupad sa isang responsibilidad na sila naman ang humingi sa gobyerno (Those can be revoked if they fail to uphold a responsibility which they asked for from the government)," Libiran said.