Tuesday, July 01, 2008 Editorials: Nothing substantial gained from strike
THE transport strike initiated by the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo (Nadsu) yesterday did not gain anything for the drivers except to prove Nadsu’s capability—or lack of it—to cripple the operation of public transportation in Metro Cebu.
It was therefore more of a selfish and less of a selfish act.
Consider that government has answered none of Nadsu’s short term demand (minimum fare of P8.50 for passenger jeepneys) and long-term calls (like the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law).
Fare hike
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board did approve an additional 50-centavo increase, raising the minimum fare to P7, but the decision was made through a public hearing, not because of a strike.
Besides, a minimum fare of P8.50 is too much of a jump from the P6 of only months ago, flogging ordinary wage earners and tending to show the drivers’ selfish bent.
Since none of their demands were met, the most that Nadsu should have gained from the transport strike was in the propaganda sphere (publicity for its demands), but even that aspect and its effect is questionable.
People support
The ideal transport strike is operator and driver-led but supported by the people, or at least the riding public so understands the demands and goals of the protest action it is willing to go through the resulting inconvenience.
An example of this was the paralyzing actions waged under the Marcos regime.
A strike waged by drivers and operators (and in yesterday’s case only one transport group) without public support results only in passengers quarreling with drivers, inflaming passions and drawing negative publicity.
Success
Besides, City Hall officials were correct in considering the strike as ill-timed, as the city is hosting relatives of the victims of the mv Princess of the Stars tragedy (one may add there the devastation brought about by typhoon Frank).
That Nadsu provided another inconvenience can be considered insensitive.
Thus, no matter what percentage of success Nadsu may claim for yesterday’s transport strike, many doubt whether it gained anything substantial from it in terms of getting their demands or popularizing the issues they presented.
