Cebu transport groups halt planned strike

Local

TRANSPORT groups in Cebu canceled their planned transport holiday on Monday, March 23, after local authorities asked them to halt the action meant to highlight their struggles amid rising fuel prices.

Ellen Maghanoy, president of the Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives (FCTC), said several modern jeepney groups were set to stop operations, but Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) Regional Director Abosamen Matuan promised to hear their concerns and relay them to the national government.

"Magtransport holiday man unta to ang transport groups dinhi sa Cebu unya nagpasalig man si RD (Matuan) nga ang among concern ipadangat sa national—ang usa sa pinakadako nga concern ang long-term solution bitaw sa pagsaka sa atong petroleum products," Maghanoy told MyTV Cebu.

The canceled transport holiday would have included the 13 cooperatives under FCTC, as well as other firms across Cebu.

Maghanoy stressed that while the fuel subsidy provides temporary relief to drivers and operators, it does not address the continuous rise in fuel prices.

Calling it a "band-aid solution," she warned it could do more harm than good.

Drivers might still halt operations for the day after receiving the promised aid because the subsidy does not cover actual fuel costs.

Maghanoy said transport groups are proposing long-term solutions to the government, including subsidizing fuel per liter to stabilize prices.

"Gihangyo namo nga mohatag sila og longterm solution ba like subsidize ba nila per liter or unsa ba'y means nila. Dili ayuda amoa gipangayo," she said.

She added that they will push for a P5 fare increase despite acknowledging it is only a partial solution.

The provisional fare hike, which LTFRB Central Office had approved but Presidential Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. suspended, could still help ease operators’ burdens.(MyTVCebu)