A TRANSPORT group claimed on Monday, October 16, that transportation in Cagayan de Oro City had been paralyzed by 90 percent even without the support of other transport organizations in the 2-day transport strike.
The Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Northern Mindanao-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Starex-Piston) said transportation will get back to normal situation on Tueday, October 17.
"Wala nay strike sa Martes, wala na pud tay programa human sa positibo nga response sa mga drivers, operators ug sa katawhan pero maminaw ta sa dagan sa kalihukan sa national," Starex-Piston secretary-general Ringo Lago said.
Aside from the buses provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ferry stranded commuters for free, the Provincial Government also deployed its vehicles for the same purpose.
The capitol has facilitated help to some 1,621 stranded commuters.
Lago said they will continue the campaign against the alleged government's plan to phase out jeepneys in the guise of the transport modernization program.
"Ang atong himoon na lang padayon ang atong pagpasabot sa mga association dili ta magkampante para ang katawhan mismo ang moduso sa iyang interest sa gobyerno," Lago said.
Lago said they were dismayed and seemed betrayed by other transport groups in the city which did not support and join the transport "Tigil Pasada."
Both the Transport Federation of Cagayan de Oro (Trafeco) and the National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU)-Northern Mindanao reportedly snubbed the protest action.
"Nasubo kita kay mas gusto nila nga i-phase out ang mga jeep. Nasayran nato nga ang Trafeco diay usa sa gitugotan nga mahimong dealer sa sakyanan nga ipuli sa mga PUJs nga i-phase out unya ang NCTU pud
nisugot nga i-phase out kay usa pud sa mag-distribute sa among sakyanan," Lago said.
Lago said these groups did not only betray their members but the entire transport sector as well.