|
Monday, March 01, 2004
Transport group demands P1.50 fare hike, sets strike
By Roberto L. Bacasong and Avelyn Z. Agudon
THE United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) expects 90 percent of public transportation will be paralyzed in their planned Untat Biyahe Monday and Tuesday next week to push for a P1.50 fare hike.
Jessie Ortega, Undoc secretary general, said the transport strike was among the major decisions they have come up during their February 17 and 18 National Transport Conference in Metro Manila initiated by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide.
The transport strike that will commence early morning on Monday and will end at around 5 p.m., the following day, is nationally coordinated.
Ortega reiterated their call for a P1.50 fare increase following what they described as endless oil price hikes, onerous tax impositions and skyrocketing prices of the basic commodities.
"We will demand for the government to heed the worsening plight of the drivers and operators," Ortega said.
If granted, the P1.50 increase would mean a jeepney fare rate of P5.50 for the first five kilometers.
Ortega said they are coordinating their protest with their counterparts in Metro Manila who are also set to stage a transportation strike.
He stressed that the poor drivers and operators could no longer bear the oppression of President Arroyo's administration.
He said their group will also demand the stopping of oil price hikes, suspension of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the scrapping of all oppressive and onerous taxes imposed on the transport sectors.
Wage hike
The transport group also supported the demands of the workers for P125 across-the-board wage hike, public sector employees demand for P3,000 wage increase, the peasant demand for genuine land reform, and state subsidies in production and food.
During the transport strike, Undoc will set up centers in strategic places in Bacolod City and throughout Negros Island.
Ortega urged schools, government and private offices, business groups, police and military establishments and the commuting public to support the strike, saying "it is the people's interest that are at stake."
He advised them to refrain from engaging in their normal activities during the strike except in extreme emergency cases that involve the life of a person.
The group also warned saboteurs and pranksters not to engage in any operations that would bring unnecessary violence and chaos.
Peaceful protest
Governor Joseph Marañon urged the various transport groups to stage a peaceful protest action. Marañon said the problem aired by the transport groups could only be solved in the national level.
Bacolod Mayor Luzviminda Valdez, meanwhile, said she would meet members of the peace and order council to prepare for the strike Saturday.
Valdez said the City is prepared to provide free service vehicles among the city's employees who might be stranded.
(February 28, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
