AT LEAST 1,200 jeepney drivers and operators across the country joined the transport strike Monday, September 30, to protest the government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
But PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the mass action "fizzled out" in areas where buses and jeepneys continued to operate.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, at least 590 drivers affiliated with the Pinag-kaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (Acto) held separate mass actions along Commonwealth Avenue, Novaliches Proper, Diliman in Quezon City as well as in Bonifacio Monument Circle in Caloocan City and along C4 Road in Navotas City.
He said some 55 members of local transport organizations also held protest actions in Dagupan City and Santiago City in Northern Luzon while around 200 drivers joined the picket in Baguio City.
Some 324 protesters were monitored in Iloilo City, Bacolod City and La Castellana Negros Occidental.
At least 100 Piston members staged a protest rally in Carreta, Cebu City.
Banac said the common issue raised in the mass actions were the groups’ opposition to the government's planned jeepney modernization and the rising fuel prices which continue to burden the drivers and their families.
"The projected nationwide transport strike by members of militant transport organizations affiliated with Piston and Acto fizzled out in wide areas as mass transportation system in major jeepney and bus routes across the country remained operational," said Banac.
"The PNP-NOC did not receive any report of untoward incidents in these mass actions even as all PNP regional, provincial and city police offices and stations were instructed to remain in their posts to assist motorists and commuters affected by these activities," he added.
Earlier, the PNP together with the other concerned government agencies such as Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as well as the local government units in the affected areas assured free rides and assistance for the affected passengers.
In the afternoon, MMDA spokesperson and assistant secretary Celine Pialago said the number of people affected by the strike were fewer than expected. (SunStar Philippines)