CITOM braces for looming transport strike

CEBU, Philippines - The City Traffic Operations Management assured they are prepared for the looming nationwide transport strike because of the rising fuel prices.

CITOM executive director Raphael Yap said they were informed of the possible strike and immediately prepared contingency measures to lessen the inconvenience of the riding public.

Yap said that should the strike push through, Kaohsiung buses will be deployed to transport passengers who will be stranded. They have also asked the barangays to deploy their own vehicles. The police shall be on alert to maintain peace and order.

“We are not preventing them of their freedom to express but our appeal is for those drivers who will participate not to prevent other drivers who will choose not to participate in the strike,” Yap said.

National transport groups like the Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) threatened to hold a transport strike due to the continuous rise in the prices of fuel. PISTON has a counterpart group in Cebu.

Yap said the information they received is that there is a possibility that local transport groups might heed the call for a nationwide strike so they have prepared in case the plan will push through.

Yap however said that the strike might depend on the outcome of the meeting of the leaders of the transport groups and President Benigno Aquino III.

The transport groups did not indicate a specific date when to hold the strike. – (FREEMAN)