Protest strike stalls transpo in MM, rest of the country

By Ronron
April 18, 2005

The nationwide strike Monday staged by different transport groups, and supported by militant organizations, paralyzed almost completely the transportation in Metro Manila and other key cities and provinces in the country.

In separate accounts, the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Transport Operators at Drivers Nationwide (PISTON) and the government claimed that transportation in different areas from Regions 1 to 12 were stalled from at least three up to 100 percent from 12 midnight until 3pm yesterday.

"As of this time, it shows that the transport strike is successful, particularly in terms of the wide number of drivers, private individuals and established organizations that participated," PISTON Vice President for the National Capital Region Modesto Floranda told the Shimbun at 10am yesterday at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, one of the 10 mass rally converging points in Metro Manila.

Aside from PISTON, yesterday's protest activity was joined by members of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Alliance (MJODA), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Assocation of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and the Philippine Confederation of Drivers Organization-Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (PCDO-ACTO). It was also supported by the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakpawis, BAYAN, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Health Alliance for Democracy, Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice, PAMALAKAYA, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, among others.

FEJODAP President Zenaida Maranan, for her part, said transportation around the country was paralyzed by 95 percent because of the strike.

Floranda said the strike was launched to press the government to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and to order a rollback of the gasoline prices. (Shell, Caltex and the small oil companies yesterday raised again the prices of diesel and other petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas, by 75 centavos per liter or kilogram, according to Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya).

"This is an urgent call. The Oil Deregulation Law in the last 10 years has not served the interest of the drivers and the public in general. It is in fact the reason why oil prices could not be controlled or stopped. The rollback of oil prices should also be immediately implemented because the continuous oil price hikes is the reason why prices of basic goods and services are also increasing," Floranda said in Filipino.

Based on reports received by Floranda from other PISTON members in other parts of the metropolis and of the country, transport paralysis was achieved one hundred percent at the University of the Philipppines in Diliman, Quezon City; in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; in Makati City; and in Malabon.

The following places were also severely affected: Cubao (80%), Proj. 2 and 3 (90%), and Novaliches (90%) in Quezon City; San Pedro, Laguna (80%); Alabang, Muntinlupa City (70%); Sorsogon (98%); Camarines Sur (90%); Albay (90%); Cagayan de Oro City (98%); Tanay, Rizal (90%); Pier Area in Tondo, Manila (98%); Pampanga (80%); Tarlac (60%); and Pangasinan (80%).

But according to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Ma. Elena Bautista, the transport strike only paralyzed 30-40% in Metro Manila.

"Definitely, it was not fully paralyzed because the buses, taxis, tricycles, and (Tamaraw) FX were operational," Bautista told the Shimbun.

A separate report from the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, showed that the transportation paralysis in Metro Manila ranged from 30-70% as of 2pm yesterday.

It also cited total or partial transportation paralysis in the provinces of Pangasinan, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley; and in the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Mandaue, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Davao, and General Santos.

So far, only one bus liner complained of being hit by transport strikers all throughout the duration of the protest activity, said Bautista.

JAC Liner reported that two of its buses were hit by stones yesterday dawn while plying the national highway in Quezon province, leaving its window glasses broken. Another four buses were also left with flat tires after running over spikes thrown on the streets also in Quezon.

No one was reported injured or killed in those incidents.

Bautista warned that if they can ascertain those responsible, they will suffer not only revocation of their franchise but also criminal liability for civil disturbance.

Although some jeepney drivers, particularly members of the transport group PASANG MASDA, continued to ply their respective routes, the strikers remained harmless to them and only appealed for support by shouting at them.

The LTFRB chair stressed that yesterday's nationwide strike is illegal since franchise holders are not allowed to "participate in street protests or any actions that will paralyze transportation."

"We will summon those who took part and ask them to explain why they joined the strike. If they can't satisfy us with their reply, we will cancel their franchise," Bautista said. She disclosed a hearing on May 3 will be conducted by the LTFRB for this matter.

Bautista said the issues raised by the strikers to justify their protest actions were not within the bounds of LTFRB.

On the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, Bautista said "they will have to go through Congress to effect that."

"Besides, President Gloria (Macapagal-Arroyo) already ordered the creation of a review panel for that. So they should present their position paper to the panel because that is the right forum for their position and recommendation. Going to the streets will not write down their recommendations," said Bautista.

Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya, in a radio interview, disclosed the result of the study group report on the Oil Deregulation Law is already expected by the first or second week of June. It may recommend some amendments, or total scrapping of the law, he said.

Bautista said LTFRB is serious in giving its warning to cancel franchises, citing the 150 cases of cancelled franchises that the agency handed down in the past strikes.

"Although we understand their demands, they should take note that there is a process to be followed... We actually find their causes to be legitimate and valid. But they should not raise it in a manner that the riding public will suffer," said Bautista.

Meanwhile, after a meeting yesterday afternoon with Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Bautista, Maranan announced that their demand to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law will already be addressed by the government, together with 13 other agenda.

"We submitted 14 agenda to Sec. Mendoza. Hopefully, it will be addressed in a week's time, and before we hold the Transport Summit," Maranan said.

Aside from this, Maranan also expressed elation over the government's assurance that the LTFRB will hear on April 21 the P2.50 fare hike petition the FEJODAP filed on April 1. They are expecting a decision 10 days after the hearing.

"These (review of Oil Deregulation Law and April 21 fare hike hearing) show that government is doing something on their demands," said Abaya.

Some commuters yesterday complained to Manila Shimbun because of the hassle brought to them by the strike.

"I was late for 30 minutes from my class because I could not ride from Balintawak (in Quezon City)," 18-year-old Jeany Vi Talal, a nursing student, told Shimbun upon her arrival at her school located at Welcome Rotonda.

"I totally disagree with their protest actions even if I support their cause," she added./DMS