ILOILO City – Up to 500 transport workers and supporters across Panay Island are expected to join a two-day nationwide transport strike beginning today, September 29, as organizers protest high fuel prices and challenge government warnings of sanctions against operators who suspend their trips.
The No to Oil Price Hike Coalition Panay, composed of PISTON, MANIBELA, local Iloilo transport associations, Negros Panay United and other groups, will stage an “untat-biyahe” from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. this September 29 and 30.
Lead convenor Elmer Forro said the protest is expected to draw 400 to 500 participants, with more organizations and transport routes expressing support.
“May mga gapaabot man nga mag upod from different organizations and associations or different routes,” he added.
The coalition is demanding the suspension of the Oil Deregulation Law, abolition of excise taxes and value-added tax on petroleum products, and substantial wage increases for workers. Organizers argue that provisional fare hikes provide only temporary relief from rising operating and living costs.
Protesters will assemble at Plaza Jaro at 8 a.m. before marching to nearby gasoline stations for a picket. At around 4 p.m., they will proceed to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board office in Jaro to press for wage increases.
Transport groups in Kalibo, Aklan will also hold a synchronized protest on September 30.
Similar protest actions are expected in Bacolod, Cebu, General Santos City, Southern Tagalog, Bulacan, Bicol, the Cordillera Administrative Region and several cities in Metro Manila.
The mobilization comes despite a warning from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board acting chairman Greg Pua Jr. that operators who fail to deploy their vehicles during the strike could face show-cause orders and a P5,000 fine for a first offense.
Forro challenged the warning, saying the LTFRB should not use its regulatory authority over franchises to suppress drivers’ right to protest.
“Bal-an naton nga may pudir ang LTFRB nga mag-regulate sang aton nga prangkisa, but indi nila dapat pag-gamiton ang ila regulating power para i-curtail ang democratic rights sang pamuluyo ukon sang driver,” Forro stressed.
He said joining a transport strike should not be treated merely as a refusal to provide service, arguing that drivers use collective action to bring their grievances directly to the government.
“Ang pag-upod sa welga is not as simple nga gusto lang nila mag untat byahe kundi it is their way sa pagpa-abot sang grievances sa aton nga gobyerno, guaranteed sang aton Constitution. Gani indi dapat pag-i-weaponize sang LTFRB ang ila regulating power para i-curtail ang constitutional rights sang aton drivers,” Forro stressed./PN
