Negros drivers vow to paralyze transport today

BACOLOD CITY — Drivers of public utility vehicles in Negros Occidental will stage a transportation strike today to protest the oil price hikes and to demand an increase in fare and workers’ wages.

However, unlike their counterparts in Metro Manila who failed to muster support in last week’s strike, the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center spokesman expressed confidence that they will be able to paralyze transportation in Bacolod and the whole province.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega said they are assured of the participation of the biggest drivers organization in the city — the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Associations.

Other big transport firms plying northern and southern Negros Occidental routes have also committed to join, he said.

However, Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of Ceres buses, the biggest bus company in the Visayas has not made any commitment yet as of press time.

The drivers are asking for the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, P1 fare rate hike and workers’ wage increase. — Antonieta Lopez