BAGUIO CITY – Various transport groups in the Cordillera renewed their overwhelming support to the gradual implementation of the government’s public transport modernization program for the safe, more efficient and comfortable transportation for commuters.
In a joint statement, officials of numerous van associations, and public utility jeepney operators and drivers organizations stated that development and change is an inevitable fact in the society, thus, such aspect in the transportation sector refers to the ongoing implementation of the public transport modernization program.
“Opposing this modernization program is opposing development which everyone desires and aspires,” the joint statement stressed.
It claimed that the acceptance of the riding public on the modernized vehicles is the clear proof of the correctness of the said program which reflects that the riding public aspires for a modern, safe, environment-friendly and reliable transport system and supporting the modernization program is tantamount to supporting the aspiration of the riding public.
The groups pointed out that it is better to have an imperfect and improving public transport modernization program of providing a modern, safe, environment-friendly and reliable transport system than not having a program at all considering the ongoing issues and concerns besetting the implementation of the same by the present administration of the Department of Transportation and the land Transportation franchising Regulatory /board (LTFRB).
“We recognize and appreciate the improvements of the ongoing public transport modernization program under the leadership of LTFRB Chairman Atty. Teofilo Gaudiz. We as operators and drivers have a long way to be fully equipped with knowledge to be sold to the program and we appreciate the handling of the current LTFRB leadership in dealing with the current implementation of the modernization, slowly leading and guiding us regarding the program in consideration with the ability of the transport sector and the government to fully adhere to the program,” the statement stipulated.
Earlier, the groups filed a position paper before the LTFRB praying for the gradual implementation of the public transport modernization program and bring the agency closer to the hearts of the country’s transport sector.
The groups were elated over the positive action of the LTFRB on the said matter that brought back the harmonious working relationship between the LTFRB—CAR and the transport sector in the region.
LTFRB was able to conduct a series of consultations, transport summits and the agency has been very open in listening to the plea of the transport sector for the gradual implementation of the public transportation
The groups vehemently condemned the recent action of mar Balbuena in embracing the conduct of a strike that prejudice the commuting public as the same is not the proper way of bringing their sentiment to the attention of concerned government agencies as the same could be done through constant dialogue and consultations so as not to affect the mobility of the public. The groups emphasized that the transport sector is considered as the servants of the riding public that that those participating in the strike may realize the same and place their hearts above their personal and political interests.
Further, the groups in the region have already started complying with the public transport modernization program and that they were witnesses to the benefits that the program has brought in achieving the desired purpose of the program which is for a safe, environment-friendly, comfortable and reliable transportation system for the commuters.
Officials of the various groups narrated that the riding public are now convinced that the modernized jeepneys are more convenient compared to the traditional ones, thus, they tend to patronize the services of the same when going to and from their desired destinations inside and outside the region.
The initial signatories to the joint statement are the Cordillera Van Federation, Pangasinan UV Express Transport Corporation, KAARUBA Transport Service Cooperative, Gold Town Baguio-Lepanto UV Express Cooperative, Baguio Market Plaza Cooperative Multipurpose, El Durado transport Cooperative among others.
The joint statement will be transmitted by the transport groups to the leadership of the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action.
Various local, inter-municipal, inter-provincial and inter-regional routes have already started to embrace the use of modernized jeepneys in the different parts of the region to provide people with convenience when travelling to and fro their desired destinations. By Dexter A. See
