LEADERS of major transport organizations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental announced Friday the staging of a “people’s strike” on Monday, February 27.

Diego Malacad, secretary-general of United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc), said in a press conference Friday that they expect a 90 percent paralysis of public transportation, which is part of a nationwide action.

He said they will air their opposition to the 15-year-old model phaseout of public utility buses and public utility jeepneys, opposition to the oil deregulation law, and opposition to the excise tax on petroleum products.

Also present during the press conference held at the Negros Press Club building were Elizabeth Katalbas of the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda), Jessie Ortega of Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators sa Negros (Sstone), and Noli Rosales, spokesman of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Negros.

Malacad said the transport strike will be held from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, but they will start camping out along Magsaysay Avenue, Libertad Market, Ramos area, North Terminal, Burgos Market, and Lopue’s East on Sunday.

This is voluntary on the part of the drivers, he said.

Malacad said they agreed to hold a transport strike after holding a Unity Forum Thursday.