- MITCH M. LIPA
Leaders of the different transport groups in Negros Occidental agreed to call off early the two-day transport strike in Bacolod City after a meeting with Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya and Rep. Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod partylist group.
Elizabeth Katalbas of the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (FEBACDA) said they were assured during the meeting that officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will dialogue with them to hear their demands.
Katalbas said they also want the LTFRB to resolve the issue on fuel subsidy from the national government, adding that only a few drivers and operators in Negros Occidental were able to avail of this assistance.
The transport groups expect LTFRB 6 regional director Richard Osmeña to be present in the dialogue so that they can present to him their concerns, such as the closure of the LTFRB extension office in Bacolod, Katalbas added.
Also at the meeting was former Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.
The protesting members of the transport groups packed up and dismantled their rally centers after the meeting with Gasataya, Paduano, and Benitez.
Some of the drivers also immediately resumed plying their usual routes.
The transport strike, led by UNDOC, FEBACDA, and PISTON, paralyzed a big portion of public transport in Bacolod City this morning, with rally centers set up along barangays Bata and Singcang./MML
