Two-day transport strike negative for the economy —economist

The suspension of government work and classes during the two-day transport strike has a negative impact on the economy.

Among the policies implemented during the Arroyo administration was the "Holiday Economics" or transferring a national holiday on a Monday or Friday to encourage more public spending and tourism during a long weekend, according to a report by Ivan Mayrina on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The "long weekend" from October 14 to 17 was unplanned.

"Holiday Economics. Pero pagka-unexpected hindi mo rin maiplano. Magkakaroon siguro ng konting ano 'yung mga sinehan at madaling puntahan, pero 'yung malayo hindi mo rin magagawa," Vic Abola, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific, said.

Only government agencies' operations were suspended, but the economy might incur losses.

"Mahirap ilagay ang peso amount na 'yan kasi meron mga proseso na hindi dapat matigil. Hindi maganda 'yung stop and go," Abola said.

"Sa palagay ko hindi naman ganun kalaki ang negative impact, although on the balance negative pa rin," he said.

For its part, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) cited the five million daily wage earners who were affected by the transport strike.

"Marami sa kanila ang daily paid. Kung hindi sila papasok wala silang sweldo ... Talagang marami sa kanila naapektuhan," TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.


Employers and businesses also aired their concerns about work interruption due to the transport strike.

"We don't like it but we have no choice. The other option is take risk. And then our workers will be walking in the streets and get wet, get sick. It's even worse. What will happen is, instead of one day absent, they will get sick and will miss work longer," Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Donald Dee said. — Ted Cordero/GMA News