BMP joins PMT to picket LTFRB Hearing on Bontoc Bus Tragedy

PMT calling for reforms in the transport industry in the light of the recent Bontoc and Skyway tragedies

Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon (PMT)
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)

MEDIA ADVISORY:
February 18, 2014

Transport Group, Militant Labor to Picket LTFRB Hearing on Bontoc Bus Tragedy Tomorrow

What: Picket for Regulation of Transport Industry and Reorganization of LTFRB

When: February 19, Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office at East Avenue in Quezon City

The Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon (PMT) and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) will organize a picket in front of the LTFRB office in Quezon City tomorrow, February 19. The protest coincides with the regulatory agency's first hearing on the Bontoc bus tragedy that claimed lives of 14 passengers including cultural activist and comedian Tado Jimenez.

Larry Pascua, PMT secretary-general said, "We are calling for reforms in the transport industry in the light of the recent Bontoc and Skyway tragedies, involving the Florida and Don Mariano Marcos bus lines. Strict government regulation must be placed to ensure the safety of the commuting public, who must not fall prey to unscrupulous methods of profiteering".

Pascua added, "In developed countries, safety measures are strictly enforced both in state-owned and privatized mass transportation systems. Vehicles, machines and instruments used in public transport should conform to government standards. More so, transport workers must enjoy sufficient wages and benefits, shorter working hours and humane conditions of work. They do not hesitate to invest on safety because life is more precious than property".

"Unfortunately, in our country, regulation of mass transport to ensure public safety is almost non-existent. Government intervention is exacting only on franchising issues as it is more concerned with collecting various fees from capitalists in the transport industry. The LTFRB and LTO, both widely recognized to be among the most corrupt and bureaucratic agencies in government, should be reorganized and reformed," he added.

At the protest, transport workers, cause-oriented groups and supporters of the late Tado Jimenez carried placards that read: "Regulasyon, hindi korapsyon sa transport industry", "Kaligtasan muna bago tubo ng kapitalista", "Hustisya para kay Tado at lahat ng biktima".

To conclude, Ronnie Luna, vice-president of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) asked, "How many more innocent lives have to be lost to a poorly-regulated, profit oriented transport system? How long will we endure badly-maintained vehicles that continue to threaten the lives of the people? The rightful answers to these questions are not terms of money, sales and costs. It is a question of life-and-death. People before profit"!

The transport group PMT is an affiliate of the socialist BMP.

--------------------------
Contact Persons:
Larry Pascua, PMT Secretary-General 09052050031
Ronnie Luna, BMP Vice President 09088957307