Young hits Palace on suspension of work, classes

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu City councilor described as “irresponsible” the Malacañang’s suspension of classes and government work in the past two days because of transport strike.

Councilor Joy Augustus Young, deputy mayor for education, hit the Palace for immediately suspending work in all government offices and classes without proper coordination.

“Very irresponsible. They seem to think that Manila is the Philippines and that the world revolves around Manila only,” he told The FREEMAN.

Young said Malacañang should have consulted the local officials who know the real situation in their respective areas. He said the city was barely affected by the transport strike last Monday. The cancellation of works and classes yesterday also confused some students and workers.

“Wala diay silay consultation or feedbacking? To learn nga needed ba ang second day no work and classes? Didn’t they ask LTFRB or DOTr?” he said.

Young said the decision of the people in the Palace shows how “inefficient” is their management from Manila.

“Where is now OPAV? So quite. Before, gauna-una og announce cancel ang classes. Karon, not a sound,” he added.

The suspension of work in government offices for two days has concerned local business leaders. The business sector in Cebu is calling for an immediate resolution of the issue on transportation because the transport strike is disrupting business flow.

"It is difficult if business and delivery of services get disrupted due to unexpected suspension of work especially in government agencies where businesses transact," said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Melanie Ng.

Classes and government work were suspended nationwide on Monday and Tuesday as transport groups held two days strike to protest the government's jeepney modernization program.

"Our daily economic activity also gets interrupted and may cause undue operational loss. We hope the issues with the transport group will be addressed and the welfare of the public and commuters protected," Ng added.

In June, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched the program, which will phaseout PUVs aged 15 years and above.

To promote safer and more environment-friendly transport options, jeepneys should be replaced with those powered by Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.

This program, however, is met with oppositions from the transport groups, resulting to series of transport strikes.

It's the third nationwide strike against the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, with the last two strikes held in September and February this year.

The government is eyeing to have modernized buses, jeepneys, and public utility vans across the country by 2020.

Around 180,000 jeepneys are needed to be replaced, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Ng said that the business hopes that this issue between the government and the transport sector will be resolved soon, so the public and the economy in general will not suffer. (FREEMAN)