Transport group PISTON warns of longer, monthly strikes if gov’t ignores dialogue over jeep modernization

October 17, 2017

Transport  group  PISTON ( Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide) Tuesday of monthly strikes every month if  the government ignores their request to discuss the  jeepney modernization plan.

“If the president still does not listen, we will go on strike every month because we now don't have a choice. The government has pressed us against the wall,” PISTON head George San Mateo said in his speech in a rally along Aurora Boulevard,. Quezon City.

San Mateo claimed if the government proceeds with the modernization program where jeepneys 15 years old and above will be phased out, many jeepney drivers and small operators will close shop.

“For commuters, it means an increase in the minimum fare to at least P20 with deregulated succeeding fare hikes and greater burdensome taxes,” San Mateo said.

San Mateo said future strikes will be longer than the two days they held on Monday and Tuesday.

San Mateo claimed the two-day strike paralyzed 90 percent of transport all over the country.

But police and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the effect of the strike on commuters was minimal.

"The nationwide suspension of classes and work in government offices served to mitigate the unwanted effects of lack of public conveyance as a result of the transport strike," a statement from the Philippine National Police said.

"Overall, however, there was no general paralysis of public transportation services reported anywhere," it added.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said only 13 of 74 emergency vehicles were  deployed to  help around 580 stranded passengers.

More than 20 protesters shouted while Lizada was answering questions from reporters.  But the LTFRB security team persuaded Lizada to leave the area to prevent a commotion.

The LTFRB received reports members of PISTON destroyed windshields of some jeeps in Pampanga when the drivers refused to join the strike.

It got reports jeepney drivers along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City who refused to join the strike were blocked by protesters.

Lizada said LTFRB will file charges against San Mateo for violating  Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Law. Lizada said franchises of thos who joined the strike will be cancelled.

“We are collating data for the cancellation of franchise,” she said. DMS