Transport group wants LTFRB-7 chief ousted

CEBU, Philippines —  The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON)-Cebu has once again held a rally demanding for the ouster of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto Jr.

Greg Perez, president of (PISTON)-Cebu, said that Montealto failed to protect the concerns of the public utility operators and drivers as well as allowing “black taxi” units to operate in Cebu in the absence of a franchise.

Perez said that there are more than 3,000 traditional jeepney units in Cebu that were not allowed by Montealto to operate as he wanted them to consolidate.

“Wala mi supak sa consolidation pero kadtong dili pa maka afford mopalit og mga brand new modern jeepney hatagan unta og chance nga mo operate kay ready man ang mga operators nga ayuhon ilang mga units. Kay imong makita karon, dako kaayo ang kuwang sa mga traditional jeepney. Daghan kaayo mga pasahero ang ma stranded kay maglisud og sakay,” said Perez.

Sought for comments, Montealto said that his actions are within the mandate of its head office and he will continue to serve and fight for the overall developments in the region.

As to the call for his ouster, Montealto said this does not matter to him and he is not going to resign.

“Naanad na ko ana. Dili na ko matarog sa mga butang nga ing-ana,” said the former military man.

“Mas maayo mo resign siya before mo escalate ning problemaha,” Perez added.

Yesterday’s rally was made by PISTON-Cebu in time for the first quarter regional management conference of LTFRB officials that was attended by its 16 regional directors all over the country. The event was hosted by LTFRB-7.

Aside from calling Montealto’s ouster, PISTON-Cebu reiterated its call for the stoppage of the PUV Modernization Program that will eventually lead to phase out of the traditional jeepneys.

Their other demands include suspension in the implementation of Compulsory Franchise Consolidation and the PUVMP in the next five years; revert back the five year validity of the franchise for traditional and modernized jeepneys; and return the sale and transfer of the name of the operators, who purchased the unit.

They also demanded the return of the old routes that were not yet returned after the pandemic; give assistance to drivers and operators such as the fuel subsidy that must be given directly to the drivers and a separate assistance for the operators to repair their units to be roadworthy.

PISTON-Cebu also said that the fees for late filing should be suspended from 2020. — GMR (FREEMAN)