(Eagle News) — The planned two-day nationwide strike of transport groups on Dec. 4 and 5 has been suspended.
George San Mateo, national president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, said the cancellation was to give way to a Senate committee hearing on the Public Utility Vehicle modernization program on Thursday.
He said a rally, however, would be held by his group and the No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition in Mendiola on Monday in protest of the program and the filing by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board against him in connection with the transport strike his group held in February.
The LTFRB filed a case against him for violation of the Public Service Act.
San Mateo said he would attend Thursday’s hearing.
In a statement, Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, added she would also invite Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to the hearing.
“Inaasahan natin na dadalo siya sapagkat mahalaga ang pagdinig na ito at nakasalalay ang kapakanan ng napakarami. Pagkakataon ni Secretary Tugade na ilatag sa madla ang kaniyang mga plano at ipahiwatig ang kanyang malasakit,” Poe said.
“Issues can be better discussed and resolved when sobriety and judiciousness are exercised, in pursuit of the highest public good,” Poe added, as she welcomed the decision of the transport groups to “heed our appeal.”
