Piston vows to paralyze 7 CL hubs in transport strike

ANGELES CITY — The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Transport Operators Nationwide (Piston) plans to cripple public transport in at least seven hubs in Central Luzon in today’s transport strike.

Simultaneous transport strikes are slated in various parts of the country as transport groups protest the continued rise in the prices of fuel and basic commodities as well as the expanded value added tax (EVAT).

"We have advised school officials about our strike plans so as not to inconvenience students," said Waldy Santos, Piston-Central Luzon spokesman.

As of noon yesterday, Santos said transport leaders in this city, Meycauayan, Plaridel and Baliwag towns in Bulacan, San Jose City in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac City, and Dagupan City signified their intention to join the strike.

"We also expect the participation of transport groups in some areas in Zambales, Bataan, Aurora and Olongapo City," he said.

But the Kapisanan ng mga Sasakyang Bayan sa Bataan (Kasakbayan), said it is not joining the strike.

Danilo Torres, chairman of the 10,500-member Kasakbayan, said they do not belong to Piston and that the causes the militant transport group is espousing are unclear to Bataan transport groups.

Despite Kasakbayan’s assurances, Senior Superintendent Hernando Zafra, Bataan police director, said he would dispatch mobile teams to prevent strikers from coercing their fellow drivers to join the protest action.

The Davao City government itself is girding for the transport strike which three transport groups — Transport of Southern Mindanao for Solidarity, Independence and Nationalism; Southeastern Diversified Drivers and Operators Cooperative; and Davao City Transportation Network — are spearheading in the southern city.

"Everything has been set in place. We have taken the necessary measures for those who will be affected by the transport strike," said Davao City administrator Wendel Avisado.

Piston and the League of Filipino Students, meanwhile, are all set for the transport strike in Albay and other parts of Bicol, although many transport groups are not reportedly joining the protest action.

In South Cotabato, the strike is expected to affect Tupi, Polomolok, Surallah and Banga towns and the cities of Tacurong and General Santos. — Ding Cervantes, Edith Regalado, Ramil Bajo, Raffy Viray and Celso Amo