Pasang Masda President Tells Other Transport Groups: Stop Fooling Jeepney Operators
Not all transport groups are against the Jeepney Modernization Program. In fact, there are a handful of "pro-modernization groups" that are against the strike that happened today. In fact, some even have a few words of advice to those who are joining:
"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?" said Pasang Masda President Obet Martin during 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.
Information is the Key
According to Martin, information dissemination is important and will play a big role in helping jeepney operators understand what the modernization program is all about.
"Kailangan lang ng kaukulang pagpapaliwanag sa mga kapwa operator sapagkat kailangan nilang maintindihan 'yung programa," he said on GMA News Online.
"'Wag ho nating sabihing totally mahirap mag-apply ng loan, maraming requirements, eh hindi pa nila sinusubukan," he added.
Another transport group, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) also decided not to join the transport holiday due to pending negotiations with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
"Hindi ho muna kami sumasama sa tigil-pasada sapagkat nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa DOTr at LTFRB. Ang amin pong mga hinaing ay nasa Kongreso na at sa Senado so kailangan hintayin mo kung ano ba ang magiging desisyon dyan," explained FEJODAP President Zeny Maranan.
