Transport groups bemoan hefty fines

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

Transport groups had varied reactions to the implementation of the 1-meter social distancing in public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The rule jointly implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region 6 (LTFRB-6) and Land Transportation Office-Region.

The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (ICLAJODA) and the City Loop Integrated Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (CLIAJODA) had differing reactions to the LTRFB-6’s operations.

The two transport groups already met with the LTFRB-6 and LTO-6 on Wednesday, where they agreed that jeepneys will impose the one-seat-apart rule, and that the agencies will start to warn jeepney drivers and operators on Sept. 28, with full implementation only on Oct. 5, 2020.

The previous rule based on the LTFRB Central Office’s Memorandum No. 2020-047 mandated a 50 percent capacity on jeepneys in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or lower.

The CLIAJODA held a transport strike starting on Friday, while the ICLAJODA pushed through with its regular operations in the city.

Iloilo City is under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from Sept 25, to Oct 9, 2020.

Despite the stricter CQ status, the city government still allows public transport to operate, subject to the minimum health standards set by national and local authorities.

The LTFRB-6 and the LTO-6, however, started implementing the rule on Friday.

Drivers who will violate the rule will be fined P1,078.00 by LTO-6, and another P5,000.00 by LTFRB-6.

CLIAJODA President Rizalito Alido expressed surprise on the LTFRB-6’s fines in an interview with Bombo Radyo Iloilo on Friday.

“We had an agreement to impose a one-seat-apart rule, and that they would only start their [citation] operations on Sept. 28 which would only start with a warning. I heard [on Thursday evening] that they would start citing jeepney drivers [on Friday],” Alido said.

Alido also told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo that drivers and operators could not bear to shoulder the hefty fines.

“We should’ve been informed beforehand. They have started citing drivers at Jaro Plaza. Considering that we still don’t have a provisional fare increase, it would be a loss for our drivers and operators who have been struggling, not even being able to buy bread for themselves and their families. They couldn’t even have their vehicles undergo maintenance,” he said.

Alido warned that the operations were already somewhat “persecution” against jeepney drivers, and may lead to similar scenarios as seen in Metro Manila, where jeepney drivers are asking for financial support on roadsides.

“This is like persecution on the transport sectors. We might become like Manila, where they have been asking for alms on the side of the roads. What has been the support of the national government for us? Until now, there hasn’t been any. I called up and met with our presidents via phone, and decided that, for the meantime, because it is dangerous to ply the roads and get fined, we will take a rest,” he said.

Alido said that it is still not definite when they will return to the roads.

“Until such time, when there is already a provisional fare increase and we can already balance, we’ll study it first, but if we continue to be martyrs on the road without any government support, we will meet on it and asses when we can finally return. We intend to have this run for one week, initially. We will still meet on how long this will run,” Alido said.

Meanwhile, ICLAJODA President Boyet Parcon told Aksyon Radyo that they will not be holding a transport holiday despite the operations.

Parcon confirmed that the new 1-meter rule by the LTFRB-6 will further decrease the maximum capacity in jeepneys from 11 passengers to 7, with 1 passenger in the front and the other 6 in the back seats.

“I’ve already communicated with our leaders and we will continue our operations. We have a problem with some of our drivers already complaining, but we will support the [MECQ] order by Mayor Treñas. We understand that we are in the middle of a pandemic, and it is not just for our drivers but for everyone. In our view, the pandemic will not last. I have already declared that we will continue to operate and we are waiting for the provisional authority to increase the minimum fare which is between P15 to P18, so we can help our drivers,” Parcon said.

He said that in their request for provisional fare increase, they considered the situation of both the drivers and the commuters.

“We have two problems. If we raise to a much higher fare, our drivers who are already struggling, will still be unable to bring home sufficient needs for their families. We are also looking at our commuters, who will also suffer if there is a much higher fare than what we requested. This is a very difficult time. We are appealing to the public for mutual understanding,” he said.

Parcon said that he hopes that the directors of the two agencies will warn jeepney drivers and operators first before fully citing them for violations.

He added that the ICLAJODA may approach the two agencies for consideration should drivers and operators be caught.

“Maybe [the LTFRB-6 and LTO-6] directors will have consideration, and won’t be too strict in their operations. They should give warning first. Our drivers and operators will be suffering if [the LTFRB-6 and LTO-6] will ultimately cite them. We cannot do anything at that point, but maybe we will approach the directors’ offices first and ask for their consideration since we are in the middle of the pandemic,” he said.

Parcon said he was informed that the two agencies will only be warning at first and measuring the distances in the vehicles.

“In my monitoring of the LTFRB, I was told that they will only be issuing warnings and will only be measuring the distances. We are trying to contact LTFRB-6 Director [Richard] Osmeña about this,” he said.