LEADERS of transport groups in Pampanga province asserted that the strike they staged on Monday, September 30, was a success.
According to Piston Gitnang Luzon coordinator Allan Bonifacio, they were able to attain their goal of paralyzing the transport system in the province by at least 90 percent.
He disclosed that at least 4,000 passenger utility jeepneys, or some 9,000 drivers and operators in the province participated in the said 24-hour protest.
“The mere fact that the provincial government suspended the classes in Pampanga and the local government and even private companies mobilized their vehicles to transport passengers is already a recognition of the effect of our protest,” Bonifacio said.
Bonifacio, however, clarified that transport groups are not against the modernization program, but on the payment method offered by the government to purchase the proposed modern jeepneys.
Reports say the proposed jeepney is estimated to cost between P1.4 million and P1.6 million. However, based on an interest rate of 6.0 percent per annum and a payment period of seven years, the actual cost of a jeepney reaches P2.1 million.
“Their only assurance is that they will provide P80,000 assistance to the affected drivers and operators but it isn't even a third of the total amount that our operators will shell out just to comply with their program,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bonifacio dismissed the threat of the Department of Transportation of cancelling the franchises of drivers and operators who participated in the protest.
“Why would we be afraid if by 2020, all of our jeepneys will be phased out. At least by doing this, we are giving ourselves a fighting chance against this anti-poor program of the government,” he said.