Drivers stage strike to protest jeepney phaseout, corporation plan of DOTr

Jeepney drivers and jeepney operators pushed through with their plan to stage a transport strike on Monday, a report on Unang Balita said.

The strike was held to protest the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) jeepney phaseout and jeepney corporation plan, GMA News' Bam Alegre reported.

Ilang tsuper, nagtitipon na sa Monumento Circle para sa transport strike @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/hj3mKRcbtj

— Bam Alegre (@BamAlegre_) February 26, 2017

The said plan will affect the livelihood of thousands of drivers and operators, they said.

Under the draft of the Department Order which shall take effect on Aug. 16, 2017, the minimum capitalization of a jeepney operator will be raised to P7 million. 

Operators will need to have at least 10 jeepney units to have a franchise to operate.

Driver and operators have expressed their opposition to the plan, saying this will affect small-time operators and thousands of drivers who will lose their means of livelihood.

On Monday morning, jeepney drivers participating in the strike converged at Monumento Circle in Caloocan City.

Drivers belonging to the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) urged fellow drivers to join the strike.

May mga pumapasadang jeep na hinihikayat naman ng PISTON na makiisa sa tigil pasada. #UnangBalita

— Unang Hirit (@UnangHirit) February 26, 2017

Commuters affected have boarded DOTr buses and Philippine Coast Guard trucks offering free rides.

LOOK: Nakahanda na ang libreng sakay mula sa pamahalaan malapit sa Monumento Circle, Caloocan. | via @BamAlegre_ pic.twitter.com/Jmim9fIvaU

— GMA News (@gmanews) February 26, 2017

Other drivers will meet at the Quezon Memorial Circle and Welcome Rotonda at 11 a.m.

They will then all proceed to Mendiola for their protest action.

The strike is also being held in other areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. —KG, GMA News