Treñas debunks Salarda's claim on decision of city loop drivers
City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday denied the accusations of Hugpong Transport convenor Edgar Salarda about his alleged intervention which resulted to the non-participation of the city loop drivers in the two-day transport strike. The decision of the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (Icada) and Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepneys Operators and Drivers Association (Icajoda) not to join the strike was based on their meeting, said Treñas.
Treñas’s statement was in response to the allegations hurled by Salarda against him in different radio interviews. Salarda blamed the chief executive for the decision of the city loop drivers in not joining the strike. He claimed the decision was diverse from the result of the transport meeting called by Icada prior to the two-day transport strike.
“I hope Salarda should correct his facts because I am not a transport leader,” Treñas said adding he did not influence the transport leaders on their decision. “They (Salarda's group) should respect the decision of the drivers in not joining the strike they initiated.”
Because of the non-participation of the city loop drivers in the strike public transportation in the city was not paralyzed. The transactions in different offices and classes continue as there are enough public utility jeepneys plying the different routes. Taxi units also have their normal operation.
The chief executive said Salarda should not force the city loop drivers from joining the strike. The decision was reached by the leadership of the different transport groups.
On the other hand, Hugpong Transport, in a press statement claimed that 80-90% of the transport organizations supported the first day of the transport holiday.
“In Capiz, 98% of the public utility vehicles and tricycles supported the nationwide transport strike while it is 95% in Aklan . In Iloilo City, majority of the transport organizations joined the strike amidst the declaration of the ICADA and ICAJODA leaders that they will not join the transport strike. 85-90% of our provincial jeepneys stopped their trip (as of 2:00pm, southern lines at 95%, central lines at 60%, northern lines 85%). Meanwhile, 50% of the taxi units here supported the transport holiday and more taxi drivers committed to stop their trip on the second day”, assessed Salarda.
“We hope that more transport groups will join the second day of the nationwide transport strike. We believe that our transport holiday is anchored on legitimate issues and the people will always join the transport sector in advancing our interests,” added Salarda.
Meanwhile, Mayor Treñas said he has ordered the deployment of police in strategic places to protect both the drivers and the commuters from any harm. As of yesterday noon, Treñas’s office has not received any report of incident related to the transport strike.
Meanwhile, Councilor Erwin Plagata said the implementation of the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO) continues despite the strike. The provincial public utility jeepneys without car passes are still banned from entering the city.
“The transport strike has no effect on the city and there is no reason to suspend the implementation of the PBO. The suspension of the ordinance needs the passage of another ordinance. It's not easy to suspend ordinances, unless the chief executive calls for a special session in effect. The outcome of the strike is not “justifiable” for the suspension of the ordinance,” said Plagata.
The volume of passengers from the province decreased because of the lack of public utility jeepneys from the different municipalities. The more reason that there would be no suspension of the ordinance, he said.