Five leading transport groups under a broad coalition dubbed as “Enormous 5” revealed Sunday plans to hold its own mass gathering on Monday, March 24, in support of the government’s disputed Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
The pro-PTMP groups called on Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to resist appeals to halt the implementation of the program, citing its long-term benefits to commuters and the public transport sector in general.
“We, the Enormous 5, is calling on the Secretary to push through with the PTMP. The program is actually for the welfare of the public and improvement of the transport sector,” said Pasang Masda president Roberto ‘Ka Obet’ Martin.
The group cautioned Dizon against being swayed by groups allegedly pursuing self-serving and political agendas. “They are just sowing disorder. We were able to deal with it (PTMP). It would be unfair for us if they would not comply,” the group said in a statement,” the group said in a statement.
They also reiterated their trust and support for Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.
Transport group Manibela, which continues to oppose the PTMP, announced a three-day transport strike starting March 24. It accused the LTFRB of falsifying data regarding the program’s implementation.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena, claimed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had provided conflicting schedules for dialogues with Dizon, prompting them to launch a dry-run strike across several parts of Metro Manila last Friday.
In response, the Enormous 5—composed of Pasang Masda, ALTODAP, ACTO, Busina, and Curoda—plans to gather in front of the LTFRB headquarters on East Avenue, Quezon City, on Monday at 7:30 a.m. to show support for the modernization initiative.