Sham TRB hearing on proposed toll hikes slammed

An alliance opposing toll fee hikes condemned today the public consultation held by the Toll Regulatory Board yesterday, saying the meeting is a bullheaded attempt to ram the newly-proposed toll fee hikes down the public’s throat.


Taxpayers’ Unity vs. Toll Fee Hike (TUTOL Hike, formerly TUTOL-SLEX) slammed the absence of the TRB Board of Directors in the meeting, with only TRB executive director Manuel G. Imperial in attendance.


TUTOL Hike also criticized the inability of the TRB to furnish stakeholders, prior to the meeting, a copy of the petition for a new round of toll fee hike in the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the STAR Tollway and the Manila-Cavite Expressway.


“What kind of a public consultation is this? Government officials sitting in the TRB board of directors, who are supposed to uphold the public’s interest on this issue, are absent. Stakeholders were not furnished with a copy of the petition for a toll hike, making us unable to prepare to refute pro-hike arguments,” said Sammy Malunes, TUTOL Hike spokesperson.


“It is clear that the TRB and the Aquino government are not taking public consultations seriously. They are very arrogant in thinking that they can ram through another toll hike down the public’s throat. They think they can impose another burden on the public’s back without the public fighting back,” he said.


The contract between the government and the private corporations managing the expressways states that the corporations may increase toll fees after every three years after holding public consultations on the proposal.


Bad for Metro public


Ramon Te, councilor of the City of Caloocan and TUTOL Hike co-convenor, decried the ill effects that will be brought about by the implementation of another toll hike.


“Local government officials here in Metro Manila should speak up against the toll hikes. Our constituents are suffering from the increase in the prices of basic goods and services that is being caused by the toll hikes,” Te said.


“Our small vendors will be selling more expensive rice, vegetables and other agricultural products to a public whose wage has remained almost constant through the years. They will most likely end up with less sales and therefore less income,” he added.


He said the country’s expressways are being used to transport agricultural products from the provinces, the prices of which are now increasing because of the successive toll hikes.


“We will continue with our protests in the coming days. We cannot take this additional burden on our backs. It is clear that the Aquino government will not be asking stakeholders’ for their opinion on the issue – and the private corporations managing the country’s expressways could not be happier,” Malunes said. Sammy Malunes, TUTOL Hike spokesperson

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON)

PISTON nanawagan kay Pnoy na pigilan ang nakaambang Oil Price Hike sa darating na linggo. Pagbenta ng PETRON refinery sa gobyerno hindi sapat. Buong PETRON hiniling ng mga tsuper na maibalik bilang State Oil Company.

Hiniling ng militanteng transport group PISTON o Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide kay Pangulong Aquino na ngayon pa lang ay umaksyon na upang rendahan ang napapaulat na panibagong Oil Price Hike sa darating na linggo. Ang reaksyong ito ng naturang transport group ay bunsod ng napapaulat sa media na panibagong Oil Price Hike na Piso sa Gasolina at 30 sentimos sa diesel.

Ayon kay George San Mateo, Secretary General ng PISTON, mahalagang ngayon palang ay kumilos na si Pangulong Aquino upang pigilan at rendahan ang anumang pagtataas sa produktong petrolyo lalo pa at bugbog na sa krisis at kalamidad ang mga tsuper at mamamayang Pilipino. Aniya, hindi pa nga nakakabangon ang maraming kababayan natin na sinalanta ng mga bagyong Pedring at Quiel na puminsala sa napakaraming mamamayan.

Siningil din ni San Mateo si Pangulong Aquino kung bakit wala nang nangyari sa mga binitawan nitong pangako sa diyalogo niya sa transport sector noong September 14 na pabubukasan diumano ang mga libro ng Big 3 upang ma-imbestigahan ng isang inter-agency task force ng gobyerno ang overpricing sa langis gayundin ang pagpaparepaso sa Oil deregulation Law. Isa si San Mateo sa nakadalo sa naturang diyalogo. Aniya, wala na silang nadinig muli kaugnay sa naturang pangako. Mistula aniyang nagka-amnesia na ang gobyernong Aquino sa mga binibitawan nitong pangako patunay na puro papogi lang ang ginagawa ng administrasyon..

Nagbabala si San Mateo na kapag muling hindi umaksyon si Pnoy sa pagrenda sa oil price hike at ang hindi nito pag-aksyon sa mga binitawan nitong pangakong imbestigasyon at review sa Oil deregulation Law ay mapipilitan aniya ang PISTON at mga kaalyado nito na muling magkasa ng mga serye ng sunod-sunod na kilos protesta. Maalalang tatlong beses na nagsagawa ng nationwide protest ang grupo noong Marso 31, Agosto 31 at ang pinakahuli noong September 19.

Pagbenta ng PETRON refinery sa gobyerno hindi sapat para maibaba ang presyo ng langis

Samantala sinabi din ng PISTON na hindi sapat ang balak ng Petron Corporation na ibenta ang refinery nito sa Bataan upang matigil ang overpricing at maibaba ang presyo ng langis sa bansa.

Ayon kay George San Mateo, Secretary General ng PISTON, mahalagang maibasura muna ang Oil Deregulation Law upang mailagay sa epektibong regulasyon ng gobyerno ang pagpepresyo ng petrolyo at industriya ng langis sa ating bansa upang mabantayan at mabusisi ng mabuti ang overpricing. Kaakibat nito, ayon kay San Mateo napakahalagang maibalik ang buong Petron Corporation sa pag-aaring publiko para maimpluwensyahan ng pamahalaan ang local oil prices sa layuning maging abot-kaya ito sa mga tsuper at mamamayang Pilipino

Binigyang-diin ni San Mateo na hindi sapat na maibalik ang refinery ng Petron sa gobyerno. Aniya, kulang kung refinery lang ang maibabalik sa pamahalaan. Napakahalaga aniya ang direktang presensya ng gobyerno sa industriya ng langis partikular sa buong proseso ng pag-aangkat, pag-iimbak, pagrerepina at pagbebenta / pagtitingi ng produktong petrolyo upang matiyak na makakarating ito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa sa presyong abot-kaya ng mga driver at mamamayan. Magagawa lang ito kung maibabalik ang PETRON sa pag-aari at kontrol ng pamahalaan.

Dahil dito, iginiit ni San Mateo sa administrasyong Aquino na seryosong dinggin ang panawagan ng PISTON at iba’t ibang sektor na maibalik ang Petron Corporation sa control at pag-aaring publiko. Aniya, ang PETRON ang siyang may pinakamalaking merkado sa bansa at may pinakamalaking bilang ng oil depots at gasoline stations na nakakalat sa ibat ibang istratehikong bahagi ng bansa lalo na sa mga lugar na makapal ang presensya ng public land transport sector. Aniya, dapat magpakita ng political will ang administrasyong Aquino sa usaping ito dahil kung hindi ay lalong lalakas ang hinala ng mga driver at mamamayan na nakikipagsabwatan ang gobyerno sa Big Three Oil Cartel sa pagpapanatili ng overpricing at dominasyon nito sa local na indutsriya ng langis.

Sinabi pa ni San Mateo na sa kasalukuyan ay may nakabinbin na House Bil 4355 si Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino na nananawagan ng pagbasura sa Oil Deregulation Law kasama ang pagtatatag ng Petroleum Regulatory Council, Oil Buffer Fund at Centralized Oil Procurement gayundin ang pagbabalik sa Petron bilang pag-aaring publiko. Aniya, nanawagan sila kay Pangulong Aquino na sertipikhan ito bilang urgent/priority bill upang gumulong ang pagpoproseso ng naturang panukalang batas.

Inirereklamo ni San Mateo na hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi isinasalang sa deliberasyon ni House Committee on Energy Chair Rep. Henedina Abad, ang House Bill 4355 at iba pang panukalang batas na naglalayong maibasura ang Oil deregulation Law. Si Rep. Abad ay miyembro ng Liberal Party at asawa ni Budget Secretary Butch Abad na kilalang malapit na adviser ni Pangulong Aquino. George San Mateo, PISTON Secretary General

Petition vs. VAT on tolls filed before SC

Citing provisions of the 1987 Constitution on equitable and progressive taxation, a petition against the imposition of the VAT on tolls was submitted today before the Supreme Court, supporting an earlier motion for reconsideration.


Sammy Malunes, spokesperson of the Taxpayers’ Unity vs. Toll Fee Hike in the South Luzon Expressway or Tutol-SLEX, filed a petition for intervention before the SC, in support of a motion for reconsideration questioning the VAT on toll on the basis of the “double taxation” argument.


Elivira Y. Medina, President of the National Council for Commuters Protection also joined the petition.


The motion for reconsideration was submitted last July by former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz and former Department of Trade and Industry assistant secretary Aurora Ma. Timbol.


“Imposing the VAT on tolls runs counter to the spirit of the 1987 Constitution. The Supreme Court, we believe, should stand on the side of the Constitution and the general public on this issue,” Malunes said.


“Our petition is on solid grounds. It is plain to see that the VAT on tolls is a form of regressive taxation – which will severely hurt those who are less affluent,” he added.


In his petition, Malunes cited Article VI, Section 28 of the Constitution which says that “The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.”


Saying that it is the general public which will ultimately bear the burden of the VAT on tolls, the petition argued that the tax measure runs counter to the Constitution, which says that the burden of taxation should be on those who are better able to pay, not on the general public.


“Regressive taxes like the VAT on toll will only worsen the poverty and suffering of our kababayans. The VAT on tolls will make the burden of a lack of a significant wage hike and soaring prices of basic commodities and services even heavier,” Malunes said.


“It goes without saying that our petition before the Supreme Court is only an addition to, and will not replace, the various forms of protests that we are launching against the VAT on toll. We should in fact intensify our protests against the said tax measure,” he said. Sammy Malunes, Spokesperson, TUTOL-SLEX

As House deliberates on toll VAT bills Solons told: Repeal VAT on toll

A few days after the imposition of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) on toll and as the House of Representatives deliberates on bills repealing the measure, an alliance called on Congress to repeal the tax on tolls.


“In implementing the measure, Pres. Aquino has failed the Filipino people. We therefore look to our legislators for junking the VAT on tolls,” said Sammy Malunes, spokesperson of Taxpayers’ Unity vs. Toll Hike in the South Luzon Expressway (TUTOL-SLEX).


“Not everything legal is fair and pro-people. Just because the Supreme Court ruled in favor of imposing the VAT on toll does not mean that it should be done,” he added.


“For approving the VAT in the first place, Congress should look into the VAT’s imposition on tolls and repeal the measure,” he said.


According to the group, the unanimous Supreme Court decision approving the VAT on tolls was based on provisions of existing laws that are faulty. It said that even authors of the VAT law, such as Sen. Ralph Recto, are saying that tolls should be VAT-exempt.


“We call on the public to put pressure on the country’s legislators. Let us push them to doing something to scrap the heavy burden that is the VAT on tolls,” Malunes added.


Supporting VAT exemption bills

TUTOL-SLEX said that while the House Bill seeking to repeal VAT has already passed the committee level, bills calling for VAT exemptions, such as House Bill 5303 authored by Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño is a necessary compliment towards the right direction to give immediate relief to the people especially if the marathon hearing pushes through.


“Considering that the toll fee in the SLEX is the most expensive among toll fees, exempting the SLEX from the VAT on toll will provide an immediate relief in these times of high prices and stagnant wages,” Malunes said.


After the deliberations, the Committee on Ways and Means approved to consolidate the bills calling on tax exemption on tollways.


“We call on the legislators to ensure making expressways affordable for the masses. Expressways should be public service. If not, we can’t help but say ang mahal naman sa tuwid na daan ni PNoy,” Malunes ended. Sammy Malunes, TUTOL-SLEX Spokesperson

Amidst consecutive typhoons: Alliance to Noynoy: Suspend imposition of VAT on tolls

Amidst the devastation caused by typhoon Pedring, and with the threat of two more typhoons coming into the country, Taxpayers’ Unity Against Toll Fee Hike in the SLEX (TUTOL-SLEX) challenged Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino today, three days before the imposition of the Value-Added Tax on toll fees, to suspend the measure.


The taxpayers’ alliance said the imposition of the VAT on toll fees is comparable to the outgoing and incoming typhoons in that it will cause the devastation of people’s incomes and livelihood, on top of the damage wrought by the weather disturbances.


“The imposition of the VAT on toll fees on October 1 is a typhoon in its own right. It will cause damage in the incomes and livelihood of Filipinos. It will cause deaths, only indirectly and slowly,” said Sammy Malunes, TUTOL-SLEX spokesperson.


“But the typhoon that is the imposition of VAT on toll fees is man-made and can be prevented. We challenge Pres. Aquino to suspend the implementation of the measure before October 1,” he added.


Like buying a Porsche


TUTOL-SLEX said Pres. Aquino should not be so insensitive to the plight of the poor, especially amidst consecutive typhoons, so as to push through with the implementing the measure on the said date.


“Pres. Aquino said that his government is not manhid (impervious) to the suffering of the people. But talk is cheap. He should suspend, at the very least, the imposition of the VAT on toll fees if he really is sincere in saying this,” Malunes said.


“If he does not suspend the implementation of the VAT on toll fees amidst the consecutive typhoons, he will be showing that his government is callous towards the poor – in a way that will ignite a condemnation more intense than when he bought a Porsche,” he added.


Vibrant discussion


Malunes said typhoon Pedring and the incoming typhoons have overshadowed a lively public debate on the imposition of VAT on toll fees.


“While we take stock of the devastations caused by the typhoons, we should not lose sight of a typhoon that is about to enter our lives on October 1. The typhoons have overshadowed what promises to be a vibrant public discussion on the issue of VAT on tolls,” he said.


“The stalling of protests against the imposition of the VAT on tolls on the eve of the latter should not be used by the Aquino government as an opportunity to ram the measure down people’s throats,” he added. Sammy Malunes, TUTOL-SLEX Spokesperson

Pnoy mas praning kay Gloria: Paglikha ni Pnoy sa Presidential Task Force TRASMA vs Transport Strike at Mass Action kinondena ng PISTON

Mariing binatikos ng militanteng Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa paglikha nito sa Memorandum Circular # 18 na naglikha sa Presidential Task Force on Transport Strike and Mass Action na pamumunuan ni MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino bilang direktang kinatawan ni Pangulong Aquino sa naturang Task Force. Ito ay matapos ihayag kahapon ng Malacanang ang pagtatatag ng naturang Task Force na kabibilangan ng ibat ibang sangay ng gobyerno kabilang na ang Armed Forces of th Philippines (AFP) at Philippine National Police (PNP).

Sinabi ni George San Mateo, Secretary General ng PISTON na ang paglikha ni Pangulong Aquino sa naturang Presidential Task Force ang konkretong nagpapatunay na naging matagumpay ang isinagawang Transport Strike ng PISTON noong September 19 upang igiit ang pag-alis sa overpricing sa langis, pagpapatupad ng Big Time P9 rollback at pagbasura sa Oil Deregulation Law at 12% EVAT sa langis.

“Nangangahulugan lang na pag-amin ito ng gobyernong Aquino na naging matagumpay ang Transport Strike noong September 19 kaya naman sa sobrang praning ng administrasyong Aquino ay naglikha pa ito ngayon ng isang Presidential Task Force para supilin at dahasin ang mga transport strike at kilos protesta na maaring isagawa muli ng mga tsuper at mamamayan na ang tanging hangad lang ay maipagtanggol ang kanilang kapakanan, kabuhayan at karapatan laban sa walang humpay na oil price hikes at overpricing sa produktong petrolyo na lalong nagpapalobo sa presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo,” pagdidiin ni San Mateo.

“Lumilitaw na mas praning pa ang administrasyong Aquino kaysa sa nakaraang gobyernong GMA pagdating sa mga transport strikes. Ni hindi ginawa ng mga nakaraang administrasyon ang ganitong paglilikha ng Task Force sa layuning supilin at dahasin ang mga transport strikes na maaring ikasa sa hinaharap. Dahil naobligang kilalanin ng mga nagdaang gobyerno ang pagsasagawa ng mga transport strikes dahil ito ay makatarungan dahil ipnaglalaban lamang ng mga driver at mamamayan ang kanilang kabuhayan at karapatan kontra sa walang-tigil na oil price hikes at overpricing sa petrolyo,” pahayag pa ni San Mateo.

Iginiit pa ni San Mateo na ang pagtatatag ng Presidential Task Force TRASMA ay nagpapakita na ang gobyernong Aquino ay ang numero-unong kasabwat at tagapagtanggol ng dayuhang monopolyong kartel sa langis dito sa Pilipinas kaya naman desperado ang administrasyong Aquino na maipagtanggol ang interes ng Kartel sa pamamagitan ng naturang Task Force upang masupil ang mga transport strikes at mass actions na tumutuligsa sa pagsasamatala at overpricing ng Kartel sa Langis.

Binigyang-diin din ni San Mateo na garapalang paglabag sa Saligang Batas ang paglikha ni Pang. Aquino sa Presidential Task Force TRASMA. Aniya, tahasang paglabag ito sa batayang karapatan ng mamamayang Pilipino partikular sa Artikulo III (Bill of Rights), Section 4 ng 1987 Philippine Constitution na nagsasaad na “No Law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

“Nakakalungkot isipin na si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino pa mismo ang numero-unong lumalabag sa 1987 Constitution na itinatag sa panahon ng panunungkulan ng kanyang ina at namapayapang dating Pangulong Cory Aquino matapos bumagsak ang diktadurang US-Marcos sa pamamagitan ng Pag-aalsang EDSA 1 nung 1986 na kung saan nakipaglaban ang mamamayang Pilipino sa pang-aabuso ng diktadurang US-Marcos sa mga batayang karapatan ng mamamayang Pilipino,” pagsasaad pa ni San Mateo.

“Sa halip na seryosong aksyunan at tugunan ni Pangulong Aquino ang kahilingan ng mga driver at mamamayan ay panunupil at pandarahas ang nais gawin ng kasalukuyang gobyerno. Bakit sa haip na habulin, imbestigahan at parusahan ng gobyernong Aquino ang Big 3 Oil Cartel sa pagsasamantala at overpricing nito ay ang mga driver at mamamayan ang nais supilin at dahasin sa pamamagitan ng Presidential Task Force TRASMA na itinayo nito?,” pagdidiin pa ni San Mateo.

“Nagkakamali si Pangulong Aquino kung inaakala niyang masisindak ang mga driver at mamamayan sa Task Force na kanyang nilikha. Hanggat hindi konkretong kumikilos si Pang. Aquino para pigilin ang oil price hikes at alisin ang overpricing sa paetrolyo gayundin ang pagbasura sa Oil Deregulation Law at EVAT sa langis, ay patuloy na magsasagawa ng mga kilos-protesta ang mga tsuper at mamamayan kabilang na ang pagkakasa ng mga transport strikes.” paliwanag pa ni San Mateo.

Nananawagan si San Mateo sa lahat ng mga drivers at mamamayan na tutulan at labanan ang pagtatatag ni Pangulong Aquino ng Presidential Task Force TRASMA. Aniya, ang Presidential Task Force TRASMA ay maitutulad sa mga mapanupil na instrumento ng Martial Law ng diktadurang US-Marcos gaya ng Presidential Commitment Order (PCO) at Presidential Detention Action (PDA) na sumupil at nangdahas sa mga transport strike, welgang bayan at mga kilos-protesta na isinagawa ng mga tsuper, manggagawa at mamamayan noong panahon ng diktadurang US-Marcos.

Nanawagan din si San Mateo sa mga mambabatas sa Mababang Kapulungan at Senado na imbestigahan ang pagtatatag ni Pangulong Aquino ng Presidential Task Force TRASMA.
Ayon pa kay San Mateo, balak nilang makikipagkonsultasyon sa mga human rights organizations at mga human rights lawyers partikular sa KARAPATAN Human Rights Alliance at National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) upang pag-aralan ang pagsasampa ng kaukulang kaso sa Korte Suprema upang mapa-basura at ma-deklarang unconstitutional ang paglilikha ng Presidential Task Force TRASMA

Magpa-plano din aniya ang PISTON ng mga kilos-protesta kasama ang iba pang transport groups at people’s organizations upang hilingin ang pagbabasura sa naturang task force at sa halip ay solusyunan na ng gobyernong Aquino ang walang-tigil na oil price hikes at overpricing sa presyo ng langis gayundin ang pagbuwag sa Oil Deregulation Law at VAT sa langs. George San Mateo, Secretary General, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON)

P-Noy evades real issues, offers “palliatives” to avert a transport strike

The statement of P-Noy for a review of the oil deregulation law, at best, is pure and simple “muddleheaded-ness”. The facts are as clear as daylight. The deregulation of the oil industry caused the scourge of unbridled oil price hikes. To expect prices to fall in an industry dominated by monopolies is not only wishful thinking, it is an illusion conjured by transnational oil companies to amass higher profit margins at the expense of the Filipino people.

Inutile Review. Yes, a policy review is necessary not to determine if deregulation causes an increase in oil prices; but to seek measures on how to shift the oil industry back to a regulated market.

The promised Malacanang review of oil deregulation is useless and futile; like a fireman telling a tenant of the need to study the effects of water on fire before rescuing his burning house.

Palliatives to douse water on a brewing transport strike. Yesterday’s dialogue was enough to conclude that Noynoy will remain deaf to the clamor for government control of oil prices, a pressing need not just of the transport sector but of the entire Filipino people. This conclusion is based on two premises: (1) the inutile review of deregulation rather than a study to revert to a policy of regulation, (2) the proposed part two of the Pantawid Pasada Program, the use of alternative fuel, and the abuse of “kotong” cops on transport workers.

Rather than focus on the pressing issue at hand (the reversal of the oil deregulation law), Aquino proposed measures that would not even lift an ounce in the burden of oil price hikes. It is a sad re-run his of “wang-wang” measures, which are mere publicity stunts, intended to avert a nationwide protest by the transport sector.

The use of alternative fuel – a long-term solution – would serve the selfish interests of some members of the dialogue panel, since they are now venturing into such businesses.

All Systems Go for Nationwide Protests. The PMT would push through with nationwide localized protests for: (1) the prosecution of oil companies for excessive and unjust profiteering, (2) an urgent P9/liter rollback in petroleum products, (3) the repeal of the oil deregulation law, and (4) that removal of VAT of oil and basic commodities. From September 19 to 24, we will conduct mass actions in NCR, Calamba, Lipa, Malolos, Cabanatuan, Imus, Baguio, La Trinidad, Bacolod, Silay, Cebu, Tacloban, CDO, Ozamis, Zamboanga and Davao. Dante Lagman, President, Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon (PMT)

Stradcom vows full support for LTO

Stradcom Corporation vowed yesterday to continue giving its all-out
support to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on the occasion of the
latter’s 99th founding anniversary celebration held at its main office
in Quezon City.

Stradcom President Cezar Quiambao made the assurance before Acting LTO
chief Racquel Desiderio and Transportation Undersecretary for Road
Transport and Public Information Dante Velasco at the LTO auditorium.

Quiambao said that Stradcom will continue to provide the LTO with the
systems necessary to increase the efficiency of its delivery of
services to the public, as well as its generation of revenues.

The Stradcom official made the pledge even if the company is still
awaiting payment for services it has already provided to LTO since
last year, amounting to over P1 billion.

For her part, Desiderio said that the LTO and the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will honor Stradcom’s
contract as the owner and operator of the LTO IT facility that
computerized the agency’s systems.

Using the computerized system installed and maintained by Stradcom,
the LTO is now able to fast-track the processing of drivers’ licenses
and the processing of motor vehicle registrations.

The LTO now handles a minimum of 60,000 transactions per day, earning
revenues in the billions, thanks to Stradcom's computerization
services which cut down the processing time of licenses and
registrations to mere hours.

Under the manual system used by the LTO in the past, the processing of
drivers’ licenses and motor vehicles used to take weeks and months,
respectively. Margaux Salcedo, Stradcom

PROVINCIAL BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) today vehemently denied reports of fare overcharging and clarified that they are merely implementing fare rate adjustments approved by the LTFRB in 2008.

“Our group member-companies have been operating without relief from government despite the recent fuel price surges and increases in labor and toll fee rates,” said Alex Yague, PBOAP president.

“Instead of imposing punitive measures on us, the government should instead appreciate the provincial bus operators’ consistent fulfillment of their public service function and their decision not to burden the riding public with what is justifiably a new fare rate hike increase,” Yague added.

Yague said the overall economic and operational environment now can justify the adjustment of fares given the following factors:

1. Crude oil prices that have breached the dreaded $110 per barrel price and still trending upward.

2. A wage increase for Metro Manila workers which raised the minimum pay from P382 a day to P404.

3. Toll fee increases starting January 2011 from 12% to 300%.

4. The number-coding scheme which has reduced the running fleet of bus companies entering Metro Manila by as much as 20 percent.

Still, Yague explained, the provincial bus operators have been absorbing the spiraling costs and the impact of regulatory measures instead of passing them to the riding public through increased fares.

“In short, the classic environment for a fare increase is present with the increases in both the fixed costs that are measured in inflation-setting, such as wages and toll fees, and the volatility of fuel prices. Despite these, we are not seeking a fresh round of fare adjustment,” said Yague.

Yague said the fare rates that are now being implemented by the provincial bus operators had been based on the operating conditions in 2008 and these are P1.60 per kilometer for regular air-con buses, P1.70 per kilometer for de luxe air-con buses, P1.80 per kilometer for super de luxe air-con buses and P2.25 for luxury air-con buses.

Yague pointed out that the PBOAP member-companies voluntarily reduced their fares after operating costs stabilized in 2009 and the fares they charged were lower than what were allowed under the May 2008 fare rates.

Yague said that the fare reduction made in 2009 was a voluntarily thing on the part of the PBOAP companies and done without prodding from government.

“With the current spiral in operating costs, with the current volatility of fuel prices, we have no choice but to adopt the May 2008 rates,” said Yague.

Yague said that the land transport sector is one of the few large industry groups without incentives from government. He lamented that despite being the backbone of the country’s transport system, the land transport sector is also one of the most heavily regulated in the country.

“Instead of punishing us, the national government should come to our succor and review both the incentives and regulatory structure that govern the industry,” said Yague. PBOAP

STRADCOM CORPORATION OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Stradcom Corporation condemns the dirty tricks being used by the Sumbilla and Yujuico group to illegally take over the company and as a result endanger the normal operations of the LTO IT system. The Sumbilla and Yujuico group have filed a bogus case with Branch 91 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court of Judge Linda Genillo, illegally misrepresenting themselves as Stradcom Corporation. This highly fraudulent and dirty tactic should be immediately dismissed by the presiding judge. The Sumbilla and Yujuico Group has no legal basis whatsoever to represent Stradcom Corporation in any shape or form.

We will file the appropriate legal action to have this bogus case dismiss immediately and we ask the judge not to allow herself to be used in this illegal and fraudulent act which threatens to endanger LTO operations nationwide and prevent the thousands of motorists from normally transacting with the LTO. Jeanette Villafranca-Fernando, Office of the Vice President, Corporate Communications Division, STRADCOM CORPORATION