Transport strike to greet school opening

Transport groups yesterday threatened to hold a strike during the opening of classes on June 13 to protest a plan by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to phase out old school service vehicles starting this month.

The Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) and National Alliance School Service Association of the Philippines ( Nassap) vowed to welcome the school opening with protests dubbed “Du13.”

Earlier, the LTFRB said it would no longer allow school service vehicles aged 15 years and up to operate.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said they have given school service operators a oneyear extension to replace their old school buses.

Last year, the agency issued a memorandum circular allowing old school bus services to operate until March 31 after ACTO asked for a moratorium.

Ginez said there was a need for a 10-month transition period to ensure the availability of school buses for this school year.

He said the phaseout was supposed to take place as early as 2014.

Ginez said the LTFRB would suspend the franchises of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators who will join the transport holiday to be led by ACTO and Nassap.

“The agency will exercise its power against transport operators joining the strike next Monday,” Ginez said in a text message.

A fine of P200,000 will be imposed on operators of school services who will join the strike, according to the LTFRB.

Ginez asked ACTO president Efren de Luna and Nassap head Celso de la Paz to police their ranks.

“We also urge the Land Transportation Office to impose sanctions against PUV drivers who will participate in the strike,” Ginez said.

De Luna and De la Paz had earlier asked the Department of Transportation and Communications to defer anew the phaseout of old school buses.

De Luna said they would start with a program at the Quezon City Circle at around 7 a.m. on June 13 before marching to the LTFRB office.

LTFRB board member Ariel Inton assured the public there would be no shortage of school service vehicles in Metro Manila, contrary to De Luna’s claim.