Nationwide transport strike kicks off amid rising fuel prices

Transport groups on Thursday kicked off a nationwide transport strike amid the surge in pump prices due to the Middle East conflict. 

Members of PISTON trooped early in the morning at Welcome Rotonda in Manila to urge the government to take action as fuel prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. Transport strikes were also held in other areas such as Pasig, Bulacan, and Iloilo.

The transport strike comes a day after President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. also ordered the suspension of the implementation of a fare hike despite increases in the prices of petroleum products.

"Bagaman po sila ay tumutugon, kami po ay nakukulangan din. Parang napakatagal. Pag-solusyon para sa aming transportation sector. Ang tagal bago i-release, samantalang matagal na pong tumaas at naramdaman na po namin na kami ay nahihirapan dahil sa pagtaas po ng petrolyo," said PISTON member Regie Manlapig in an interview on Unang Balita.

(Although they responded, we find it lacking. It seems like it took a long time to provide solutions for our transportation sector. It took a long time to release the [subsidy], fuel prices have been rising for a long time and we already feel that we are struggling because of the increase in prices.)

"May magagawa po ang gobyerno para mabawasan at hindi umabot sa sukdulan Ang pagtaas po ng petrolyo," he added.

(The government can do something to reduce and prevent the increase in petrol prices from reaching its peak.)

Disruption

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it has already activated the Emergency Operations Center to avoid transportation disruptions.

"Nag-activate na tayo ng ating Emergency Operations Center dito sa MMDA para i-monitor ang iba-ibang mga areas na in-expect natin na mayroong mga pocket rallies at may mga disruption ng public transport," said MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III in another interview on Unang Balita. 

(We have activated our Emergency Operations Center here at the MMDA to monitor various areas where we expect there to be pocket rallies and disruptions to public transport.)

He also added that the MMDA does not expect the rally to have a "major impact" on transportation in the metro.

"Wala pa tayo nakakitang abnormalities at hindi rin natin na-expect na may malaking impact. Ito na malaki talaga dahil isang grupo lang naman ang nag-organize itong tigil pasada na ito," added Torre.

(We have not seen any abnormalities, and we do not expect it to have a big impact. This is really big because only one group organized this transport strike.)

"Wala naman tayo nakakita a malaking difference sa daily commute natin," he added. 

(We haven't seen a big difference in our daily commute.)

More rallies

Piston, meanwhile, said that they will hold more rallies, unless the government heed their call.

"May mga susunod pa po kaming pagtilos. Ito po ay tuloy-tuloy hanggat hindi po nadidinig ang aming hinahing at hindi po napapakinggan. Tuloy-tuloy po ito," said Manlapig. 

(We have further efforts. This will continue until our cries are not heard and are not listened to. This will continue.)

Among their call, is the removal of excise tax to ease the surge in pump prices.

"Unang-una po panawagan namin. Tanggalin na po muna sana yung mga ipinapataw sa petrolyo. Para po magkaroon naman po ng pagbaba at makagaan po para sa aming mga sektor ng transportasyon, lalo na sa mga driver na kahit pa pano may may way pa po kaming kita," he added.

(First and foremost, our call is to remove the taxes on petroleum. So that there will be a reduction and relief for our transportation sectors, especially for drivers who, so they can still earn a living.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News