MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications on Monday urged transport groups to think about their demand for a new round of fare increases.
Instead of a fare increase, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza urged the groups on Monday to wait while government tries to find solutions regarding the transport sector's problems.
"Kapag nagdagdag-pasahe, magmamahal din ang mga tinda sa palengke. Tayo din ang tatamaan. At ang ating mga kamag-anak na namamasahe rin ang tatamaan ng taas-pasahe," Mendoza said in a speech delivered during the induction of the officers of the transport group, Mega Manila Operators and Drivers Alliance (MMODA).
"Ano ba naman iyong P2 na di- natin i-text para ibayad sa pamasahe kung titingnan mo na P30 agad ang maidadagdag nito sa i-uuwi ng tsuper sa pamilya. Kulang pa nga ito para pambili ng NFA rice kung tututusin," Mendoza added.
The remarks came even as some transport groups like the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) and the Philippine Confederation Drivers Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (PCDO-ACTO) warned that they will stage protests with the current round of oil price increases.
Pasang Masada, considered as one of the "moderate" transport groups, said it will stage a transport strike in the first week of June upon government's failure to act on its promises that will help reduce the troubles of operators and drivers.
A fourth group, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (PISTON), is calling on government to abolish the Expanded Value Added Tax and the Oil Deregulation Law.
Mendoza told his audience that the government is helping the transport sector seek effective ways to cope well with high fuel prices.
"Tayo po ay patuloy na humahanap ng mga pamamaraan na pangmatagalang solusyon sa mahal na presyo ng langis," Mendoza said.
The DOTC had earlier batted for the use of cheaper and cleaner fuel alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) in addition to other government programs aimed at lessening the impact of the rise in oil prices.
One plan is for public utility vehicle drivers to receive subsidized fuel and rice. - GMANews.TV