Transport Strike in Davao City

Today was crazy hell in Davao City. Being here for more than 6 years, I've seen and heard of transport strikes but was not affected much as those previous strikes were not participated fully by some drivers/operators and there were still some jeepneys/cabs taking passengers. But today was incredible. A staggering 85% of Davao City transport has been paralyzed as more than 1,000 driver and operator members of United Maa Operators and Drivers Association (Umoda) participated in the rally.

Just when you thought that economic crisis would make these drivers/operators think twice before they go on strike, compromising a day's income that could have been the food on the table of their family for no less than their principle. In fact, one driver told a reporter of one leading local newspaper said, "we won't mind if we'll have to share just a bowl of rice porridge today with our families only to fight for our principles. "

The strike has been caused by penalty increase of the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Based on the new penalty scheme, a person driving under the influence of drugs will be fined P10,000 and his driver's license possibly revoked. Driving under the influence of liquor gets a P5,000 fine.

The new order also imposes higher penalties for the following violations:
* Driving without license, P1,500
* Driving with an expired license, P400
* Failure to carry a license, P200
* Possessing a fake driver's license, P2,000
* Conviction of a crime using a motor vehicle, P3,000

For operating or driving an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle, a fine of P2,000 will be imposed on the driver if he uses the vehicle without the knowledge and consent of the owner. If the driver is also the owner of the vehicle, he will have to pay P4,000.

Now, I'm sure you'll say it's just probably right for the LTO to increase fines/penalties so people would be more careful and conscious in abiding by the law. Also, why would those drivers/operators whine about higher penalties when if they follow the rules then they shouldn't worry about paying huge penalties at all.

However, rumor has it that Mayor Duterte was behind this strike urging the associations of operators and drivers to protest against the exorbitant fees of LTO as the Mayor believed that Cong. Nograles was behind the LTO fees hike. A source said, according to Mayor Duterte, Cong. Nograles instructed his "people in LTO" to increase the penalties so to accumulate funds for his campaign in 2010.

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