Transport strike vs oil price hikes resume for second day

PISTON's transport strike due to the recent oil price hike due to the Middle East conflict resumed Friday.

PISTON claimed that their strike on Thursday affected 90% of Metro Manila's main throughfares.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), however, said that traffic was "normal" yesterday and that no commuter was stranded. Free rides were also offered by the Quezon City government, as well as in Baclaran, Parañaque.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said, meanwhile, said Thursday's transport strike was "generally peaceful" as there were no major incidents reported.

Police said officers were deployed in key areas to ensure public safety, manage traffic, and assist commuters affected by the transport disruption. Authorities added that they coordinated with local government units and other agencies to minimize the impact of the strike and respond to any incidents.

PISTON estimated that with fuel prices at P120 per liter at certain gas stations, a jeepney that uses 30 liters of diesel per day would spend P3,600.

This could have been covered by the P1 to P2 fare hike, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended its implementation.

“100 pasahero namin, bale P100 lang ang karagdagan sa aming koleksyon, ngayon binawi pa. Eh magkano na ang krudo ngayon?” NCR PISTON president Ely Villena said.

(We only have P100 additional income from our 100 passengers. But it was revoked. How much is fuel right now?)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said the fare hike remains suspended until there is a go signal.

PISTON plans to march to Mendiola this afternoon to voice their concerns to Malacanan. —with reports from Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated