Dialogue set to discuss transport sector concerns; oil firms slash pump prices

BACOLOD. The transport sector in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental opts to cut short their two-day strike that started Monday, March 21. Public utility jeepney operations will resume today, March 22. During their protest Monday, some PUJ drivers gathered near the old airport on Araneta Street and grilled tamban fish locally known as 'tuloy' for lunch to portray their suffering amid the surging prices of fuel. (Erwin P. Nicavera photo)
BACOLOD. The transport sector in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental opts to cut short their two-day strike that started Monday, March 21. Public utility jeepney operations will resume today, March 22. During their protest Monday, some PUJ drivers gathered near the old airport on Araneta Street and grilled tamban fish locally known as 'tuloy' for lunch to portray their suffering amid the surging prices of fuel. (Erwin P. Nicavera photo)

TRANSPORT groups in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have cut short the supposed two-day strike that started Monday, March 21, 2022.

They agreed to return plying to their routes Tuesday, March 22, following a dialogue with Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya and Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano Monday.

Gasataya said it was agreed during their committee hearing that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Western Visayas will hold a dialogue with the local transport groups today.

He said the LTFRB will hear the demands and concerns of the transport sector including the release of the P6,500 fuel subsidy.

Diego Malacad, secretary-general of United Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc), said they were able to cripple a hundred percent of the public transport Monday although they ended their protest around 4 p.m.

Aside from Undoc, the two-day strike were also participated by members of Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda) and Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros (Sstone).

It was also supported by the Negros Consumers Watch and Alliance of Concerned Transport of Occidental Negros, a group of vehicle-for-hire, taxi and shuttle operators.

Malacad said they convinced other drivers who decided not to join the strike to stop plying their routes and cooperate with them since the cause that they are fighting for is for everybody.

In Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, an independent association in the barangay with more than 50 members plying Mansilingan-Central Market route also joined them, he said.

The Vallacar Transport Inc. (VTI), meanwhile, did not join the strike.

The firm, which is operating Ceres buses, continued transporting passengers from other localities of the province going to Bacolod City and vice versa.

Malacad said they respect the decision of VTI, as well as of some taxi operators who did not participate in the protest.

For his part, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir said the transport strike was generally peaceful.

Martir said they noted minor problems but were immediately settled with the officials of the transport groups and assistance of the police assigned in various rally centers.

Several policemen were also deployed in major thoroughfares to ensure a peaceful strike.

Meanwhile, it was work as usual at the Bacolod City Government Center and at the Provincial Capitol Building despite the strike.

The City Government offered "Libre Sakay" (free ride) at the public plaza.

At least nine service vehicles were made available upon the directive of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to ply seven point-to-point routes to serve stranded government employees and the general public.

Capitol cab servicing was also provided by the provincial government to ensure that the employees will be able to report to work.

In a related development, after 11 weeks of continuous increases, motorists can expect lower pump prices of petroleum products as oil companies announced rollbacks set for Tuesday.

Oil companies reduced their prices by up to P11.50 per liter for diesel, P5.50 per liter for gasoline, and up to P8.55 per liter for kerosene.

Caltex, Cleanfuel, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Petron, Phoenix, Total and Unioil announced a rollback in gasoline prices by P5.45 per liter and diesel prices by P11.45 effective 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Eastern Petroleum said it will adjust its pump prices by P5.50 per liter for gasoline and P11.50 for diesel.

Caltex, Flying V, Petron and Unioil will also reduce kerosene prices by P8.55 per liter.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in a statement last week, said that a big-time rollback in fuel prices may be implemented Tuesday.

Cusi had said pump prices could go down following a dip in Dubai crude oil prices, adding that the average for the past two trading days reached $104.79 per barrel.

He said this is lower than last week's average of $122.61 per barrel, which had caused the massive hike in local pump prices on Tuesday, March 15. (with reports from TDE)

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