Transport men threaten nationwide strike

over CTPL

By Jojo Perez

A GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) takeover of the issuance of Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance for registered passenger and private vehicles would mean a nationwide transport strike.

The threat was aired on Wednesday by major transport groups that expressed strong opposition to Department of Transportation and Communications Department Order 2007-28 that gives the GSIS a monopoly in the motor-vehicle insurance business.

Earlier, transport leaders wrote Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza expressing their concerns and their stand against the supposed takeover from the 67 private insurers and its monopoly on the business.

Melencio Vargas, United Transport Koalisyon (1-Utak) president, said he and other leaders are already ironing out the mechanics of the nationwide transport holiday as their answer to the GSIS takeover.

Those who expressed willingness to join the strike are the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines San Trans Bus,  National Transport Union Association of Taxi Operators in Metro Manila Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Kapisanan ng Kooperatiba ng mga Pampublikong Sasakyan, Pasang Masda and Land Transport Organization of the Philippines.

“There is no need for a GSIS takeover in the issuance of CTPL since ‘if ain’t broke why fix it?’ It will only result in problems owing to lack of systems, unlike now that drivers and operators can easily avail of the benefits due them; besides, we fear that a GSIS takeover will also mean multiplication of fake CTPL certificates of cover,” Vargas said.

The 1-Utak leader said the transport sector is not experiencing problems from the 67 private insurers in availing claims and benefits under the “All risk, No fault coverage,” which gives every beneficiary P400,000.

Besides, the policy also allocates P20,000 as bail for every driver who gets detained for involvement in road accidents, plus the so-called 24/7 Emergency Ambulance Road Accident Assistance and providing financial assistance for minor-accident victims.

Vargas said that this far, transport- group leaders are one against a GSIS takeover as they prepare for the next transport strike.

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Transport men threaten nationwide strike over CTPL

A GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) takeover of the issuance of Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance for registered passenger and private vehicles would mean a nationwide transport strike.

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