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Thursday, November 10, 2005
3 drivers’ blocs snub strike
Thre battalions of policemen were told to hit the streets starting at 2 a.m. today, for the transport strike against the reformed value-added tax (RVAT) and the Oil Deregulation Law.
However, the transport federations Nadsu, Vudtrasco and Citrasco said they will continue plying their routes, because going on strike will be counter-productive and will only cause commuters more suffering.
The three groups have a combined membership of about 3,000.
The Alliance of Transport Organizations Member Intra City (Atomic) is spearheading the protest, with the support of Sanlakas, Partido ng Manggagawa and the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino.
Bad timing
Anthony Pogado of Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo (Nadsu) said that Atomic chairman Rudy Laconsa did not send him an invitation to join the strike and that he was not informed about the issues that will be raised.
For his part, Steve Cañas of the Visayas United Drivers Transport Service Cooperative (Vudtrasco) said, “At this time of financial difficulties, the drivers must unite and support the government in solving the problems the country is facing.”
After meeting with officers of the City Disaster Coordination Council yesterday, City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said 18 Kaohsiung buses and 45 rented multicabs are ready for commuters who might have a hard time getting a ride.
Jakosalem said privilege cards will be distributed to drivers who will continue working.
Rewards cards
The cards will serve as passes for the drivers so they can cross travel lines to ferry stranded commuters.
However, Jakosalem did not say whether City Hall will also give canned goods and kilos of rice to non-strikers, like in previous strikes.
Jakosalem said what worries him more are the planned protest actions. He already coordinated with the police to secure the Malacañang sa Sugbo at the Aduana port.
Acting Cebu City Police Director Melvin Gayotin and Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Chief Pablo Labra II, in separate interviews yesterday, said they are monitoring rallyists who will be putting iron spikes on the streets to disable jeepneys that do not join the strike.
“We heard intelligence reports that some of the rallyists and their sympathizers are going to put spikes on the streets,” Labra said.
Among the points to be secured are the junctions of Gorordo Ave., Mabolo, Panganiban and Banawa area.
Atomic and their allies will protest the RVAT Law, which drove up fuel prices on the first day it took effect last Nov. 1.
The oil companies, however, rolled back the prices of some petroleum products starting yesterday because of a drop in oil prices in the world market. (JST/RHM/EOB)
(November 10, 2005 issue)
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