Cebu transport strike ends today

CEBU — Transport groups, composed of drivers and operators of jeepneys, multicabs, and V-hires, satisfied with the result of their strike in the south yesterday, agreed to return to the streets today.

Public transportation practically ground to a halt as early as 6 a.m. yesterday, stranding commuters from the south to Bulacao.

The strikers succeeded in paralyzing transportation to and from Talisay City, and to and from the towns of Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar, San Fernando and Sibonga. The highway along these places, ending in Bulacao, was left virtually without passenger vehicles.

The police reported no injuries, however, despite several incidences of violence when strikers hurled stones at some vehicles whose drivers refused to join the strike.

Talisay City police chief Pablo Florante Lamosao said that as early as 8 a.m , they received reports that multi-cabs plying the Naga and Minglanilla routes were stoned by strikers in Barangay Tabunok. Towards noon, some multi-cabs were reported damaged by strikers.

The strike was the groups’ way of dramatizing their resentment for an ordinance requiring them to use the One Citilink Terminal in the city.

But while the strikers claimed a 95 percent transport paralysis, the Cebu City government claimed otherwise. Councilor Gerardo Carillo said the objective was defeated since the commuters that were affected were not the ones residing in the city. — Freeman News Service