PLM joins BMP and PMT in picket at LTFRB

Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) joins the BMP and PMT calling for reforms in the transport industry in the light of the recent Bontoc and Skyway tragedies

Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon (PMT)

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)

MEDIA ADVISORY:
February 18, 2014

Transport Group, Militant Labor to Picket LTFRB Hearing on Bontoc Bus Tragedy Tomorrow

What: Picket for Regulation of Transport Industry and Reorganization of LTFRB

When: February 19, Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office at East Avenue in Quezon City

The Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon (PMT) and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) will organize a picket in front of the LTFRB office in Quezon City tomorrow, February 19. The protest coincides with the regulatory agency's first hearing on the Bontoc bus tragedy that claimed lives of 14 passengers including cultural activist and comedian Tado Jimenez.

Larry Pascua, PMT secretary-general said, "We are calling for reforms in the transport industry in the light of  the recent Bontoc and Skyway tragedies, involving the Florida and Don Mariano Marcos bus lines. Strict government regulation must be placed to ensure the safety of the commuting public, who must not fall prey to  unscrupulous methods of profiteering".

Pascua added, "In developed countries, safety measures are strictly enforced both in state-owned and privatized mass transportation systems. Vehicles, machines and instruments used in public transport should conform to government standards. More so, transport workers must enjoy sufficient wages and benefits, shorter working hours and humane conditions of work. They do not hesitate to invest on safety because life is more precious than property".

"Unfortunately, in our country, regulation of mass transport to ensure public safety is almost non-existent. Government intervention is exacting only on franchising issues as it is more concerned with collecting various fees from capitalists in the transport industry. The LTFRB and LTO, both widely recognized to be among the most corrupt and bureaucratic agencies in government, should be reorganized and reformed," he added.

At the protest, transport workers, cause-oriented groups and supporters of the late Tado Jimenez carried placards that read: "Regulasyon, hindi korapsyon sa transport industry", "Kaligtasan muna bago tubo ng kapitalista", "Hustisya para kay Tado at lahat ng biktima".

To conclude, Ronnie Luna, vice-president of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) asked, "How many more innocent lives have to be lost to a poorly-regulated, profit oriented transport system? How long will we endure badly-maintained vehicles that continue to threaten the lives of the people? The rightful answers to these questions are not terms of money, sales and costs. It is a question of life-and-death. People  before profit"!

The transport group PMT is an affiliate of the socialist BMP.

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Contact Persons: 
Larry Pascua, PMT Secretary-General 09052050031
Ronnie Luna, BMP Vice President 09088957307

PLM Statement on the death of Arvin "Tado" Jimenez

PLM Statement on the death of Arvin "Tado" Jimenez

We mourn the untimely loss of an artist, comrade, and friend who had been one of standard-bearers of our party during the local elections in May last year.

Tado rose to national prominence as a film and TV comedian whose brand of entertainment was both witty and socially relevant. Beyond his comedic countenance, Tado had also lived a full and committed life in service to the masses.

We have known him since his early teens, when he stayed at our activists’ office as a member of Panday Pira, a cultural group, which had been helping us in painting protest murals in rallies and street actions.

Even after he became a showbiz icon, Tado continued his social advocacies and support to the poor people in Marikina and nationwide. He was a perennial presence during protest activities, the most recent were protests against political dynasties, trapo (traditional politicians) rule, the pork-barrel, environment and mining issues, and others. In fact, his death from a bus crash in Mountain Province was in pursuit of a “40 Mountains Project”, a project where he intended to cross 40 mountains to celebrate his coming 40th birthday. This was intended to celebrate the beauty of Philippine mountains and forests endangered by rapacious mining and logging activities by big corporations.

In the May elections last year, Tado ran as a councilor in Marikina, under the banner of Partido Lakas ng Masa. After failing to gain a seat in the city council, Tado declared that he did not lose the elections, but gained tens of thousands of supporters instead. Tado and the PLM knew that it was a herculean task to compete with the local trapos and the entrenched political dynasties in Marikina, but Tado had decided long ago to continue struggling against the electoral system, if only to reach out to a growing number of people.

Tado was also an indefatigable and jovial spirit during trying times. Together with PLM and other groups, Tado initiated the first people’s caravan that distributed relief materials in the devastated areas of Samar and Leyte a week after the Yolanda disaster. His disposition during the six-days’ caravan energized the entire team and helped ease the load of many survivors during the relief operations.

PLM extends its deepest condolences to his wife and four children, the rest of the family, and all friends and supporters of Tado. Pambihira ka, Tado, we salute you!

Partido Lakas ng Masa
February 10, 2013