Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — A transport group on Monday urged the government to repeal the oil deregulation law and to allocate funds for public transport.
The Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 liberalizes the industry “to ensure a truly competitive market under a regime of fair prices, adequate and continuous supply of environmentally clean and high quality petroleum products.”
But Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) president Orlando Marquez told CNN Philippines’ The Source that the oil deregulation law only favors oil firms and companies involved in the selling of spare parts and cars.
“Pero sa amin, nasaan ang aming proteksyon dahil ang aming pamasahe… regulated, pero ‘yung aming ginagamit deregulated,” he added.
[Translation: But for us, where is the protection? Our fare is regulated, but those we use are deregulated.]
Marquez also urged the government to allocate funds for public transportation if it wants to solve the traffic problem and to provide more affordable transport to commuters.
Drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys on Monday started a week-long strike to protest the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. They fear the program could result in the loss of their livelihood as it requires the consolidation of franchises and replacement of traditional jeeps with modernized ones worth around ₱2 million.
Marquez said he believes the protest will not last until March 12. He also urged those who joined the transport strike to resume operations by Monday afternoon to ease the suffering of commuters.
