80% of PUJs in Davao City join strike

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – At least 80 percent of this city’s public transportation was paralyzed in yesterday’s transport strike that was part of the continued nationwide protest against Department of Transportation and Communications orders hiking the license renewal fee and revising the schedule of fines and penalties for traffic and administrative violations.

“Eighty percent of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) participated in the strike, while the remaining 20 percent still plied their routes,” Senior Superintendent Ramon Apolinario, city police chief, said, adding though that the strike was generally peaceful.

Transmission-Piston Southern Mindanao spokesman Edil Gonzaga said 95 percent of the city’s operators and drivers had committed to join the protest action.

Gonzaga said drivers plying the city’s 48 routes vowed to stay away from the streets until midnight last night. – Edith Regalado, Rainier Allan Ronda