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Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Public transport crippled by 90%
By Christine Mae A. Pelayo and Claudine C. Dumalag
ABOUT 90 percent of public transport in the province was paralyzed in Monday's start of the two-day Untat Biyahe or transportation strike spearheaded by the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) and its affiliates.
In Tuesday's resumption of strike, Undoc expects total paralysis of transportation with the participation of other operators of public utility vehicles and private vehicle owners.
From 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., only a few PUJs plied their usual routes, except for driver-members of the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda) which announced in a resolution that they are not joining Undoc's move to protest the recent round of oil price increases, call for a P1 fare hike and the abolition of the Oil Deregulation Law.
Febacda's members include PUJs plying the Shopping-Libertad (via San Agustin and La Salle) routes, among others.
Jessie Ortega, Undoc secretary general, said only 10 percent of transport vehicles under Febacda did not participate in the Untat Biyahe, contrary to the group's announcement that 80 percent of their members did not heed Undoc's call.
"It turned the other way around," Ortega said.
Affiliates of Undoc held their protest action in four rally centers: at Lopue's East with more than 100 drivers and operators and 30 vehicles; 27th Street in front of Rolling Hills Funeral Parlor with 50 drivers and four vehicles; and Goldenfield Commercial Complex and Magsaysay Avenue, with more than 100 protesters/drivers and 20 vehicles, respectively.
They held more than a minute of noise barrage and road blockade to dramatize their protest against the oil price hike and Oil Deregulation Law.
However, in contrast to past practice, Undoc did not place culverts or any blockade in the streets, allowing some PUJs and Ceres buses to continue operation.
Except for some south-bound double-tired mini-buses and Ceres buses and jeepneys under Febacda, transport vehicles were not visible as early as 9 a.m. until around 4 p.m.
Ortega disclosed that members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) also held a noise barrage in Cubao, Manila, in support to Undoc's move.
"They did not hold a strike, they just supported us and they lauded our move," said Ortega.
Undoc, meanwhile, appealed to owners of private vehicles to cease plying the streets and join them Tuesday, the second day of protest, which will culminate with a 3 p.m. program in the Fountain of Justice fronting the City Hall.
On the other hand, Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras, provincial police director, said the Untat Biyahe on Monday was generally peaceful. He said only 70 percent of public transportation was paralyzed within Bacolod.
"I appealed to Undoc members not to harass or execute any moves that can cause conflict and bloodshed to some public utility jeepney drivers and private vehicle owners who did not join the strike. They should act accordingly," said Ponteras.
No cause for alarm
The City Government, on the other hand, assured Bacolodnons that there is no need to be alarmed over the two-day transportation strike.
Lawyer Vicente Sabornay, city legal officer, noted that the operation of public utility vehicles was not completely paralyzed.
"We would like to reiterate to the public that there is no reason for them to be alarmed because the situation is normal and within our own control," said Sabornay.
He cited that trisikad and tricycle units will serve as auxiliary support to public transportation.
Mayor Luzviminda Valdez earlier created the Task Force Bulig to assist the riding public especially government employees.
Brendo Eligio, secretary to the mayor, said Valdez ordered that government vehicles will be utilized to assist the public.
Valdez also issued a memorandum order urging all department heads to form a car pool.
Eligio said that a command center has been set up to extend assistance to those affected by the strike.
The City also came up with an advisory that should there be any call for transport assistance, as well as emergency and medical assistance, residents are advised to contact Patrol 117, 435-1111 and 434-4278.
The City also clarified that the suspension of classes in all Catholic schools Monday was not because of the transportation strike but due to the nationwide celebration of the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Sabornay said that classes will not be suspended despite the transportation strike.
(December 9, 2003 issue)
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