MANILA, Philippines — Transport organizations have called off a strike this Friday after the government offered several benefits pending approval of their fare hike petitions.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez in a press conference in San Juan City lauded the decision of the major transport groups led by Manibela and Pasang Masda to call off their "Tigil Pasada."
Lopez cited the government's increase in the fuel subsidy of public utility vehicle drivers from P10 to 12 and the release of P2,000 worth of Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) until the end of the year.
The DOTr chief also revealed that the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway have waived toll fees for all provincial buses.
The SM Mall management and Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange have waived the monthly terminal fees for the transport groups.
Moreover, Lopez said the DOTr would download to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) P1.5 billion to assist drivers who could no longer regularly pay the amortization of their newly acquired modern buses and jeepneys.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II assured the transport groups that their fare hike petition "was submitted for resolution."
