'Saludo ako': Solon thanks transport groups that won't join strike
(MANILA BULLETIN)
DUMPER-PTDA Party-list Rep. Claudine Bautista-Lim has challenged all local transport groups to heed the administration’s call for unity ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA). "Sa ikalawang SONA ng ating Pangulong BBM, ipakita natin na handa tayong sumunod sa kanyang tawag ng pagkakaisa, lalo na sa hanay ng transportasyon (On the second SONA of President BBM, let's show them that we can follow his call for unity, especially in the transport sector)," Bautista said. Incidentally, commuters are bracing for a previously announced three-day nationwide transport strike beginning Monday, July 24--the day of the President’s SONA. “While I respect their right to conduct a strike, I disagree with it,” said Bautista, a vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation. The party-list lawmaker said she is one with the position of several national public transport leaders in ensuring that no strike will take place on SONA day. She said these particular transport leaders recognize the need for constructive solutions and not destructive actions. “Maraming salamat sa mga matatapang na pinuno ng mga grupong ngayong araw ay nagdesisyon na pagsilbihan ang bayan kaysa ang kanilang sariling mga interes. Saludo ako sa kanilang pagpili sa bayan bago sa sarili," she said. (Thank you to the courageous leaders of these groups who decided today to serve the country instead of their personal interests. I salute them for choosing the country over themselves.) Bautista said all the stakeholders have to work together through the proper processes to address the problems of the transportation sector. The lady solon authored and filed in the current 19th Congress House Bill (HB) No.1985, or the proposed "Act declaring May 8th of each year as a special working holiday all over the country to honor our public transportation workers". The leaders of transport groups LTOP, Pasang Masda, Stop & Go Trans Coalition, ALTODAP, FEJODAP, ACTO, UV Express, and ATOMM have assured Bautista of their support for her pet bill. This measure was already approved on third and final reading in the previous 18th Congress. It is expected to be endorsed for plenary approval during the second regular session. Marcos' SONA will mark the start of the second regular session.