Does transport strike still have an effect?
For many years, it has been the first option of transport groups to do a transport strike every time they oppose something.
On October 16, a “nationwide” transport strike occurred. This was done to call out the supposed “corruption” in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Transport groups also opposed the deadline for the mandatory jeepney consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Based on the report from the Inquirer, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)Chairman Don Artes said that this strike has minimal impact on public transportation.
There was so significant transportation disruption. The government has already taken a measure to address this matter even before it happened. Suspension of classes was declared and the government also provided “Libreng Sakay.”
With this, it is safe to say that the transport strike has minimal to no effect at all. So, what is the use of conducting a strike when what you are doing hasn’t moved your grievances to the next level?
“Kung ang purpose ng strike ay i-paralyze ang public transportation, nabigo po sila. Pero kung ang purpose nila ay magpapansin, siguro nagtagumpay sila sa ganoong aspeto. Nabigyan siya ng airtime, na-interview siya,” Artes stated.
I agree! What the transport groups did was just make their members (drivers, operators) suffer more because they have no income for today because of their strike.
Mar Valbuena, chairman of the transport group Manibela insisted, “Wala po kaming makitang tao sa lansangan…ibig sabihin po ay wala pong masakyan ang mga tao kaya hindi po sila lumabas.”
If he believes that what they did had a huge impact, how much longer could they conduct strikes to air their grievances without sacrificing their time to earn a living?
Transport strikes, or whatever strike, rally, or demonstration are already an obsolete way of addressing issues, as I view it. This is not the platform, the venue, or the medium to get things done. I would rather believe that a conversation, a discussion, or a negotiation from both parties can make a difference rather than rallying on the street to get the attention of the authorities.