Round protest are being planned to do by the Militant group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston, Unified Organization of Drivers and Operators Nationwide) if the government would do nothing to stop the continuous rise in price of fuel in the country.
The group reacted on the threatening done by the government to them if they hold a transport strikes in which they said that it is their right protected under the constitution.
In a statement released by the Piston Secretary General George San Mateo, he said that the president must not take the strike as a form of disruptions to the riding public. He said that under the constitution it is the rights of every Filipino to hold a peaceful action to seek redress to grievances.
Earlier this week, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda had warned the Piston group to ensure that the protest they are going to held will not affect the riding public else they will face consequences but he did not explained what would it be.
Land Transportation Office or LTFRB already said that Operators who will join the strike will face the consequence of cancelling their franchise for failing to do their duty.
Piston warned the government if they can’t control the oil price hike, they don’t have a choice but to hold a transport strike.
According to San Mateo he said that they are not afraid of the threat given to them by the government because they believe that the ordinary Filipino is in their side and that they will wait until May 1 for the government to make an action regarding the oil price hike.
Government have already made a Public Transport (–foul word(s) removed–)istance Program (PTAP) or Panatawid Pasada with a fund of 450 million which will be given to all jeepeney drivers (1050 pesos) and tricyle as well (150 pesos).
However San Mateo explained that this subsidy is not enough for it has been already wipe out by another oil price hike this week.