PUV drivers, commuters set national day of protest

MANILA, Philippines - The militant Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor (Piston) yesterday announced “a national day of protest” on March 31 over the alleged inaction of the government to control fuel price increases and overpricing by oil companies.

Piston secretary general George San Mateo said the protest action was the result of the government’s inability to control increases in the prices of basic commodities and services.

San Mateo said the protest would be simultaneously staged by Piston chapters nationwide.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the protest action would have the organization’s 500 drivers and operators riding some 200 passenger jeepneys from different points converging at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 9 a.m. and proceeding to Malacañang.

Piston criticized the Aquino administration for its failure to act on increases in oil and fuel products that saw the price of diesel rise from P32 per liter to P46.50 per liter.

Piston said the transport sector had called on President Aquino to conduct an investigation on the overpricing by the Big 3 oil cartel that benefitted from the Oil Deregulation Law.

“Instead of taking any action, Aquino simply allowed the prices to go higher,” the transport group said.