A BAND-AID solution would not be able to stop bleeding, says transport group Manibela as it announced a three-day transport strike starting Monday, August 10.
“The three-day transport strike is a go,” Mar Valbuena in his capacity as chairman of Manibela, said in the vernacular, following the government’s announcement of an additional P2 fuel subsidy.
Valbuena clarified that the transport sector welcomes the P2-increase of the fuel discount. He however maintained that the measure is not enough to address the rising costs of operating public transport.
According to the transport group leader, the meager government fuel subsidy should not replace its long-standing appeal for a “just and reasonable” increase in minimum fares.
Valbuena pointed to recurring problems in availing fuel discounts, saying many drivers are unable to benefit because of offline systems at gasoline stations, limited number of participating fuel outlets, or failure to provide the promised discount.
“Kaya marami sa amin napipilitan bumili ng krudo kahit walang diskwento.”
He said a fare increase would provide more direct financial relief because it immediately adds to drivers’ daily earnings without requiring them to rely on fuel stations to receive the benefit.
The transport group also renewed its call for the government to consider suspending excise tax and value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, while studying ways to ensure proper implementation of fuel price rollbacks.
The group also urged Congress to seriously consider the idea of repealing — or at the very least amending the Oil Deregulation Law in favor of consumers.
