LTFRB to consortium: Explain unpaid EDSA Carousel drivers

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  chairperson Martin Delgra said Wednesday that the LTFRB has already directed the ES Consortium to explain the unpaid salaries of drivers and conductors of the EDSA Carousel bus service.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Delgra said P1.6 billion had been released to the consortium to pay drivers and conductors under the service contracting program.

“Nagpalabas na po kami ng direktiba sa ES Consortium na ipaliwanag sa board kung bakit nangyari ito" (We issued a directive for the ES Consortium to explain to the LTFRB), he said.

According to Delgra, the amount was released to the accounts of around 18 bus operators under the consortium.

He said that a complaint has already been reported in the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Kailangan ang employer ang mananagot rito" (The employer should be held accountable here), he said.

On Monday, the bus drivers and conductors staged a protest rally along EDSA over their unpaid salaries.

Earlier, an ES Consortium official said they are in the middle of a "mediation process" with the affected drivers and conductors.

"This is already being addressed through the NCMD and as part of that po, our company is actively participating in the mediation process," said Ritchie Manuel of ES Consortium. —LBG, GMA News