Transport union submits docs for JAO review

CEBU, Philippines - The National Confederation of Transport workers’ Union - Central Visayas has submitted its documents yesterday to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 for the review of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.

 NCTU-CV vice president Romeo Armamento is hoping that officials of LTFRB, Department of Transportation and Communication, and Land Transportation Office will immediately act on the issue.

 Armamento also suggested that a panel of discussants shall be formed for the review and drivers group for both public and private vehicles should be part of it.

“Ang among panawagan karon sa LTFRB ug LTO nga mentras wa pa nitakda ang DOTC kanus-a sugdan ang review sa JAO, nga maghimo na og panel of discussants para ma-represent gyud ang tanang stakeholders,” he said.

It can be recalled that NCTU and its allied drivers and operators association called off their planned strike in Cebu last July 21 after it was agreed in a dialogue with DOTC secretary Jun Abaya that the JAO will be subjected to a review as what they have suggested.

 Armamento said that during the JAO review, they will suggest for the reduction of traffic fines and penalties as well the penalty being imposed on operators, whose drivers are at fault.

The union official clarified that they are not against a provision under JAO that seeks to apprehend colorum vehicles and impose stiffer fines.

NCTU-CV, likewise, does not oppose the provision that penalizes drunk driving.

JAO 2014-0, which took effect last July 19,  aims to instill discipline especially among drivers of public utility vehicles, prevent road accidents, ease the perennial traffic jams, and clamp down on unregistered or colorum vehicles, among others.

The order contains the revised schedule of fines and penalties for violation of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation and was jointly implemented by DOTC, LTFRB and LTO.  (FREEMAN)