THE two-day transport strike of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper and Operator Nationwide (PISTON) launched last October 16 and 17 may not have affected commuters in Pangasinan but the threat of another strike remains if government will not suspend the planned phase-out of jeepneys.

Benny Aquino, President of Alliance of United Transport Organizations Provincewide (AUTOPRO Pangasinan) affiliated with Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) said, there were only 5% of operators from the PISTON who joined the transport strike in Pangasinan.

However, Aquino said his group which has more membership and can impact on commuters if they decide to hold a strike.

Aquino said Efren de Luna, the president of ACTO will hold a meeting with jeepney operators in Pangasinan to discuss concerns including the plan of the government to phase out the old jeepneys.

The AUTORPO Pangasinan has manifested its opposition to the plan of the government to phase out the jeepneys. Instead, the group is asking the government to allow them to rehabilitate their jeepneys by replacing the engines and old parts of their jeepneys.

“We cannot afford the plan so we will end up with no means of livelihood if the government continues with its plan,” Aquino said. “If that happens, ACTO will be constrained to organize and stage a bigger strike,” he added.

Aquino said ACTO will also asked for a P2 fare hike.

Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, LTO regional director, said they deployed two teams composed of LTO Region personnel and Dagupan City police help maintain order in Dagupan City during the two-day transport strike.

Guadiz said the teams were ready to confiscate licenses of drivers who would prevent other drivers from plying their routes and recommend the cancellation of their franchises. (Nora Dominguez)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments