Transport Groups Warn Of 2-Day Strike On October 16-17

Transport Groups Warn Of 2-Day Strike On October 16-17 As Opposition To Jeepney Phaseout

Several transport groups have warned of 2-day strike on October 16 to 17, 2017 to show opposition on the modernization program of the government.

Some of the Filipino transport groups including Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), and other groups under the “No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition” have warned of possible 2-day strike next week.

The declaration of the transport groups to conduct a protest opposing the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the Philippine government that will eliminate jeepneys nationwide.

Transport groups from Cagayan, Pampanga, Laguna, Camarines Norte, and Mindanao would join the protest, according to PISTON National President George San Mateo.

San Mateo has criticized the government’s program of phasing out the obsolete jeepney nationwide by January 2018 and to be replaced by modern models of public utility vehicle.

The group president explained that if the jeepney phaseout will be implemented the jeepney drivers and operators will be forced to purchase the modern public vehicle amounting P1.6 million.

#RadyoPatrol Transport groups, magsasagawa ng malawakang strike sa Oktubre 16 at 17 | ulat ni @joycebalancio pic.twitter.com/PXJIf691Sk
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 9, 2017

The participants who will join the protests wanted to suggest the rehabilitation and repair of the obsolete jeepneys instead of replacing them by modern vehicles, which will affect the livelihood of the jeepney drivers and operators.

KMU was also calling out to the public including all the affected passengers and students to join the protest.