JOEL C. ESCOL, Managing Editor
The biggest group of transport organizations in Mindanao has aired their strong objection to the upcoming strike of other transport groups in the country.
The Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO) is composed of Northern Mindanao transport coops, including Misamis Oriental, Misamis
Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Camiguin and the Cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis, Pagadian and Tangub City.
Valeriano Constantino, Jr, chairman of NOMFEDTRASCO said in a press statement dated October 14, that they strongly oppose the National Transport Strike recently announced by Manibela chairman, Mr Balbuena.
“The members of NOMFEDTRASCO already had consolidated the franchise and were compliant and supportive to the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the
Government,”Constantino explained.
“Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO) STRONGLY SUPPORT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2023-013, “GUIDELINES ON
THE INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION OF PUJ, FILCAB, AND UVE SERVICES AFTER 31 MARCH 2023,” the federation added in a press statement sent to MDN.
Constantino also clarified that NOMFEDTRASCO is not affiliated with Manibela, and the reported strike could prejudice the right of the riding public to access public transport. “The said transport strike could deplete the purpose of the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP),” the statement also said.
AGAINST JEEPNEY PHASE OUT
Earlier, Orlando F. Marquez, president of Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) in an exclusive interview with MDN said that the total phase out would mean forgetting the only public transportation identified with the Philippines.
“Ako ho ay hindi ko tanggap dahil para tayong naging tanga. Para tayong naging kasinungalingan. Biruin mo ipatatanggap mo sa buong Pilpino. Alam ng mga estudyante na lolo na ngayon, na ang pambansang transportasyon ng Pilipinas ay jeepney,” he explained.
Marquez said the jeepney is the only Filipino invention that is now known worldwide and a phase out of this would be a discredit to the Filipino inventors and designers.
“Kaya ang pakiusap ko huwag naman iwanan ang sarili nating likha. Kung sa America nga ipinaparada ito ng mga Pilipino duon dahil proud na proud po sila, bakit natin kailangan i-phase out ito dito sa Pilipinas. Nakikiusap kami sa sambayanang Pilipino na tulungan natin maipalaganap ang sariling atin.
Marquez voiced his lamentation as government leaders are really venturing on the phase-out of jeepneys as a means of transportation, and instead use mini-buses. ###
