ACTO-initiated strike fails to paralyze transportation

The transport strike staged by the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (ACTO) in protest against excessive fines for traffic violations did not paralyze transportation the whole day yesterday.

This was the report made by Chairman Alberto Suansing of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board during the “No-Holds Barred Forum” held at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila yesterday.

Suansing, also former chairman of the Land Transportation Office, even thanked Piston president George San Mateo for not joining the transport strike as he noted his group’s main concern was the welfare of its members

In Manila, traffic was “normal” on major thoroughfares, including Taft Avenue, with many passenger jeepneys still plying their routes.

No one was seen stranded on major streets as taxicabs and FX taxis, as well as passenger buses, also plied their regular routes, according to Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau chief Franklin Gacutan.

MMDA Traffic Operation Group chief Angelito Vergel de Dios revealed there were no reports of passengers getting stranded during the day as reported by its traffic personnel deployed around Metro Manila.

De Dios noted the strike called by ACTO was timed when almost all schools in Metro Manila were closed for summer vacation.

De Dios, however, pointed out MMDA is well prepared to face the transport strike and upon instructions from MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, its 3,000 traffic enforcers were all deployed in two shifts to monitor any eventuality during the strike.

“Naka-deploy ang lahat ng mga traffic enforcers at naka monitor ang Metrobase namin sakaling magkaroon ng problema sa kakulangan ng sasakyan na siyang ililikha ng naturang strike” De Dios said

Meanwhile, while militant transport group Piston did not join the strike it also denounced the “excessive” hikes in traffic violation penalties.

San Mateo said while the group shared the stand of ACTO, resorting to a strike at this time is premature.

He even criticized ACTO president Efren de Luna for losing credibility among his members.

“Hindi namin suportado iyon at hindi kami kalahok sa welga (we are neither supporting nor joining the strike),” San Mateo said, adding his group would first try to resolve the matter and raise their concerns through the “regular process.”

Piston and ACTO were among the first transport groups to air objection to a recent order penalizing, among other things, the non-wearing of shoes while on the job.

Drivers would be penalized with a P1,000 fine for the first offense; a P1,500 fine and two-month suspension of license for second offense, and a P2,000 fine and a six-month suspension of license for third offense.

San Mateo said Piston would submit before the Department of Transportation and Communications the transport group’s position paper and petition — signed by all drivers and operators — against DoTC Order 2008-039.

He added while his group would not join ACTO’s transport strike, the two groups are one in denouncing the excessive penalties for traffic violations, saying their grievances are “valid.”

Even without Piston’s participation in yesterday’s strike, San Mateo still vowed to carry out “genuine nationwide transport strikes sa hinaharap (in the future).” –Pat C. Santos, Daily Tribune