Incalculable cost of strikes can be avoided

We are all concerned when natural disasters strike us everywhere, requiring government attention, so when manmade internal operating conflicts are protracted and unresolved, not only is government capability stretched, but taxpayers’ money and time are wasted. We can grant the political conflicts we see in Congress as the politicians may have their luxury of time, but when we speak of the ongoing transport strike on the issue of jeepney modernization not acceptable to many jeepney owners, the general public is caught in between and suffers the most. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is bent on the deadline that by Dec. 31, 2023, jeepney owners must be in a cooperative that shall be given the franchise, instead. The repercussion of the approaching deadline has been long anticipated not without trepidation by the LTFRB.

The public is now treated to a media war on the issue. Meanwhile, businesses and ordinary employees who commute using public transport suffer with no work, and schools, and even some offices, are suspended as a result. The combined cost and the responsibility for this misadventure that no side is expected to own is incalculable if it continues. We respectfully suggest that the President step in to resolve such operating conflicts within the executive department by creating an advisory Task Force on Resolving Operating Conflicts (TFROC) so that the issues are given the best perspective toward a solution acceptable to both parties. Not a day should be lost on wasting precious tax and private funds, as well. Transport is just one area of conflict; later on, you’d have teachers, health workers, and other government workers with gripes and demands to the government, almost everywhere in the executive branch; the TFROC can get to work to solve the conflict, and resolve it the soonest possible time.

MARVEL K. TAN, CPA,
marvelktan@yahoo.com