CEBU, Philippines — PISTON-Cebu claimed that the transport strike disrupted up to 80 percent of public transportation on some routes in Metro Cebu on Tuesday, September 29, as drivers joined a two-day nationwide protest over rising fuel prices and other economic concerns.
But Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said the protest action did not have an impact on the commuters as majority of the public utility vehicles continue to operate.
PISTON-Cebu president Greg Perez said the Consolacion-Cebu City and Talamban-Cebu City routes were among those significantly affected. The disruption was observed from around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., as some drivers stopped operations to join the protest while others continued to ply their routes before participating in the activity.
Perez said the group began pulling out participating vehicles around 9 a.m. and proceeded to its culminating activity and march from P. del Rosario to Colon. The program ended around noon despite the rain.
The group’s demands included higher wages for workers, a living income for drivers, and a P55 rollback in fuel prices, Perez said.
It is also calling for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law and the removal of excise taxes on petroleum products.
The group is likewise seeking the nationalization of the country’s oil industry and the return of Petron to government control, which Perez said would allow the government to help regulate fuel prices.
Perez said there would be no continuation of the transport strike on Wednesday, September 30, as Tuesday’s protest was intended as a one-day action for the group. Participating drivers were expected to return to regular operations after the protest.
Limited impact
Tumulak, who joined the group’s activity, said the strike had little impact on commuters as most public utility vehicles continued operating. The city-owned buses deployed earlier in the day were recalled to base after regular public transport services resumed.
Tumulak, chair of the disaster committee, said CCTV monitoring showed “daghan nidagan public transport” and confirmed that provincial buses were on standby should the need arise.
He added that eight city buses were dispatched at 6 a.m. but returned to the South Road Properties after public transport resumed, noting, “Masuko nya noon nanagan kay mahakot nato free fare raba ta.”
Tumulak described traffic as normal and said Transport federation officer Ryan Yu also confirmed that their members did not join the protest.
CCTO assistant head Atty. Kent Jonggoy also confirmed to The Freeman that the Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives, led by Ellen Maghanoy and Robert Orilla, had signified nonparticipation in the strike and maintained 100 percent operations of modern and traditional jeepneys.
Tumulak admitted giving water and bread to some rallyists, saying “looy man pud wala silay breakfast.”
Protest activities in Cebu were relatively small, with about 30 participants in Nasipit, Talamban; 50 at the LandBank area along P. del Rosario Street; and fewer than 20 near Andoks in Mabolo.
The strike was part of a nationwide protest organized by PISTON and allied groups over surging fuel prices and government policies.
Police security
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) strengthened security measures across Cebu amid the transport strike.
PRO 7 said police presence would be maintained in strategic areas, major roads, transport terminals and commuter convergence areas to assist the public, maintain peace and order, and ensure the safe movement of commuters and motorists.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) also prepared security measures for activities related to the strike.
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, deputy city director for operations of the CCPO, said police presence was intended to provide security for protesters and ensure the peaceful conduct of their activities, rather than prevent them from holding rallies. — Shiela Mae Agrabio (FREEMAN)