PISTON claims to have paralyzed 90% of NCR; LTFRB says otherwise

Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Monday claimed that it had paralyzed 90 percent of Metro Manila and all other areas in the country amid its transport strike.

In a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali by Maki Pulido, PISTON national president George San Mateo said the first day of their two-day strike was a success as he claimed that they have paralyzed the transport sector by 90 percent nationwide.

National Capital Region:

• CAMANAVA (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) - 97%
• Novaliches - 90%
• Makati - 100%
• Parañaque - 100%
• Zapote - 90%
• Anda Circle routes - 90%
• Litex route - 90%
• Ramon Magsaysay (Sta. Mesa routes) - 95%
• Marikina - 90%
• Manila - 90%
• Cubao - 80%

Regions:

• Laguna - 95%
• Baguio - 75%
• Davao - 95%
• Nueva Vizcaya - 100%
• Pampanga - 98%
• Rizal - 95%
• Bulacan - 100%
• Albay - 95%
• Camarines Sur - 90%
• Masbate - 80%
• Butuan City - 100%
• GMA, Cavite - 100%
• Surigao City - 60%
• Cebu City - 50%

On the other hand, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the transport strike had almost no impact, noting that the public transport system was not paralyzed as claimed by PISTON.

LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada said that they have only dispatched 17 out of 78 emergency vehicles.

In a situation report as of 12:30 p.m., the LTFRB said there were only "some reported protest actions" in Quezon City (Commonwealth, Cubao and Espana Rotonda), Pampanga, Cebu City, Tacloban City, Davao (Quirino, Buhangin, Matina, Crossing, Magsaysay, Claveria, Roxas and Agdao), and General Santos.

Meanwhile, there were no reported "tigil pasada" in the following regions:

• Region I - La Union, Ilocos
• Region II -  Tugegarao, Ilagan, Cauyan, Santiago City, (Isabela Province)
• Region IV-A - Batangas (More or less 50 protesters in San Pablo City, Laguna as of 9 a.m.)
• Region V - Bicol
• Region VI - Iloilo
• Region IX - Zamboanga
• Cordillera Administrative Region

PISTON is holding a two-day strike beginning Monday to oppose the government's PUV modernization program which it claims is a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the purchase of newer, more expensive models.

Among the groups supporting this week's nationwide transport strike are Kadamay, Migrante, League of Filipino Students, and Kilusang Mayo Uno.

San Mateo and KMU chairman Elmer Labog earlier said the government's PUV modernization program will just bury drivers and operators in debt. They added that it would only increase the minimum fare of jeepneys from P8 to P20.

Malacañang has suspended government work and classes in all levels of both public and private schools nationwide on Monday, October 16, due to the transport strike. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/KBK, GMA News