In compliance with the resolution of the National Assembly, which empowered the Transparency, Social Control and Citizen Participation Commission to supervise the signing of the agreement between Ecuador and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the criteria of the transportation sector on the elimination of gasoline subsidies and increase in prices.
Víctor Moncayo, president of the National Federation of Tricycles and Mototaxis, appeared; Luis Díaz, president of the Chamber of Tourist Transportation; Luisa Angamarca, president of the Tourist Transport Consortium; Ángel Macías, president of the Federation of Heavy Transport Cooperatives; and Washington Núñez, president of the National Federation of Urban Transportation.
The president of the commission, Patricio Chávez, stated that it is important to give the opportunity to all voices to express their positions regarding the recent agreement signed by the Executive with the IMF, and one of them is that of the transporters, since it is one of the sectors directly affected by the measure.
Víctor Moncayo, representative of the country’s tricycles, stated that on the union’s side an agreement was reached with the National Government on the compensation it will receive to face the impact of the rise in fuel prices.
The tourism transport sector, which was represented by Luis Díaz and Luisa Angamarca, did not suffer the same fate. Díaz announced that the union was not summoned to meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works. According to him, only 30% of the transportation sector has been considered for reaching agreements, while 70% has been left out, such as tourism transportation, “because they are not affiliated with unions,” he stated.
He assured that there are approximately 12 thousand tourism transport families who are hit, since it is the only means of subsistence. The damage was corroborated by Luisa Angamarca, who, at the same time, explained the needs of tourist transportation, including public administrative security in paperwork processes, licenses for companies and regularization of their vehicles.
On the side of heavy transport in Ecuador and urban transport there is also a rejection of the increase in fuel prices. Ángel Macías, from the union, denounced that in addition to the increase in VAT, the increase in prices means double damage to the economy of heavy transport, which, on the other hand, is a victim of crime, since the service it provides begins in the early hours of the morning.
Washington Núñez, president of the Urban Transportation Federation, said that this union is in danger of continuing to operate due to the targeting and increase in fuel.
During the debate, the members of the commission showed their concern about the general statement of the transporters.
Legislator Lucía Posso questioned whether the compensation system is fruitful. Generally speaking, those appearing stated that it does not represent even 5% of operating expenses.
The Citizen Participation Commission committed to thoroughly supervise this agreement with the IMF. “The measure worsens the fragile economy of Ecuadorians and what we want is a more prosperous and equitable Ecuador,” said Patricio Chávez, at the end of the session.