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Saturday, February 21, 2004
Transport strike will not benefit the public: Tupas
GOV. Niel Tupas Sr. said Friday the two-day transport strike set on February 24 and 25 by the group "Hugpong Transport" will not bring any good to the public.
"If there is a strike, we'll all be at a losing end. Our economy will be affected; businesses will be paralyzed," the governor said.
Tupas said he welcomes the move of transport groups Federation of Iloilo Drivers Association (Fida) and Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Associations (Icada) of refusing to participate in the strike.
The nationally-coordinated protest action is led by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) headed by Jun Abellon in Iloilo City.
Piston, which earlier sought a P1 fare rate increase before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional office in Iloilo City, leads "Hugpong Transport" which has issued a Manifesto of Unity last February 19.
They "declare their commitment and forge unity to oppose schemes and policies that cause detriment to the transport sector and to the people."
"We condemn the series of oil price hike and we urge the Iloilo City Government to stop the implementation of the perimeter boundary ordinance," the Manifesto stated.
Abellon said about 60 leaders of more than 30 local transport groups signed the Manifesto.
Aside from calling for the abolition of the perimeter boundary ordinance and elimination of the car pass system, they are also pushing for the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law and the rollback of oil prices.
Drivers participating
Abellon said those who will join the two-day transport strike are drivers plying the city routes of Arevalo, Calumpang, Mandurriao, Jaro, Molo Baluarte and SM City Arrastre.
The city loop drivers headed by Benny Espinosa will also join, he said.
Also participating are Iloilo City's two tricycle drivers associations as well as the group of taxi drivers numbering 180.
Operators of tourist vans plying the Passi and Dumangas routes will join the transport strike as well.
The group of 147 Leganes drivers who are opposing the car pass system will also take part, Abellon said.
Drivers in Guimaras also expressed support to the transport strike, he added. NLG
(February 21, 2004 issue)
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