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Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Planned massive transport strike fizzles
By Chris Navarro and Rhay G. Navales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The massive strike planned Monday by transport groups to paralyze major thoroughfares in Central Luzon was only partially successful in Pampanga as jeepney, bus and tricycle drivers continue to ferry commuters.
As of 8 a.m. in this capital city, jeepney drivers were seen plying the Dolores, San Agustin and Angeles City routes along the MacArthur Highway, despite the call of the Pangkahalatang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston) for a massive transport protest.
Waldy Santos, Piston-Pampanga chairman, said the strike started at 5 a.m. and was expected to continue until evening.
Santos said the region-wide strike was aimed at protesting the continuous increase in the prices of oil and fuel. Protesters are also asking for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.
He said the increase has not only dealt a heavy blow to the income of public transport workers but has also affected even basic commodities like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Roman Polintan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson (Bayan-GL) chairman, said the transport strike was "successful", saying that thousands of jeepney and tricycle drivers together with militant groups joined the massive transport protest action.
Polintan said the mass transport strike hit the provinces of Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija while other forms of protest actions were held in Bataan, Zambales, Aurora and even Pangasinan.
He also said major routes coming to and from city centers in strike-bound provinces were paralyzed.
Polintan added that choke points were also established in strategic areas where drivers and members of militant groups held simultaneous programs to dramatize the suffering of the drivers and peasants.
Polintan also decried that the so-called Big Three--Caltex, Shell and Petron--have been increasing the prices of their products almost every month, noting that since last January, prices of diesel fuel have gone up 12 times already.
Generally peaceful
Senior. Supt. Leonardo Espina, police provincial director, said the strike was "generally peaceful" with no untoward incidents.
Espina said the policemen in all the 21 towns and this city were fielded to ensure the safety of commuters and motorists.
However, Supt. Nicanor Targa, San Fernando police chief, said Angeles-San Fernando jeepney drivers and city limits drivers did not participate in the strike.
In Lubao, Pampanga Mayors League president Mayor Dennis Pineda fielded eight XLT barangay service vehicles and motor-riding policemen to ferry commuters, and provide security.
Pineda also said the situation in his town and 20 other municipalities in the province was generally peaceful.
At the Capitol, Gov. Mark T. Lapid Monday declared no work for provincial employees.
Private and public schools in Pampanga also did not hold classes but some private companies and corporations, as well as national government agencies, did not suspend their operations.
(November 9, 2004 issue)
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