Transport group exec justifies planned transport strike

MANILA, Philippines – A transport group official on Thursday asked the public to understand that a nationwide transport holiday has become necessary. In an interview over dzBB radio, Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (Imboa) head Claire dela Fuente said the planned transport holiday involving six major forms of transportation will benefit everyone. "Hindi pwedeng kumita ang ibang tao at the expense of others (Other people should not profit at the expense of others," dela Fuente said in referring to the oil companies. "Hindi po sila dapat magalit sa amin dahil ginagawa namin ito para sa lahat, para bumaba ang presyo (The public should not get angry at us because we are forcing oil companies will lower their prices for everyone’s sake)," she added. On Tuesday, major transport groups met in Quezon City Tuesday to firm up plans for a nationwide transport holiday involving taxi, jeep, bus, FX, tricycle and trucking groups. Dela Fuente said they have decided on a date for the strike, but refused to make it public for now. "Kaming lahat merong nasa isip na date. At the moment di pwede ilabas (We have thought of a date but we are not in a position to make it public)," dela Fuente said Tuesday. "Talagang nakikiramdam kami dahil sinasabi ng Senate na mag-i-imbestiga sila (We are still waiting for the Senate’s probe on oil pricing mechanisms)," she said in the Thursday radio interview. She added that according to the National Economic Development Authority’s computations, oil companies can easily implement a substantial roll back given the continuing downward trend of the price of Dubai crude in the world market. "P7 pa (more). I really am asking for that rollback," dela Fuente said. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV