ILOILO City – The one-day transport strike yesterday failed to paralyze the metropolis, declared the city government, although strike organizer Alyansa Kontra PUV Phase Out-Panay claimed success. In Iloilo province, on the other hand, the police described the strike’s effect as “insignificant.”
“As early as 6 a.m. we positioned 27 vehicles in public plazas to transport commuters in coordination with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and even the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
At around 9 a.m. though, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office gradually recalled the vehicles upon evaluation that there were enough non-striking public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to transport passengers.
Treñas described the traffic situation as “normal.”
On the other hand, Edgar Salarda, convener of Alyansa Kontra PUV Phase Out-Panay, claimed “90 percent” of PUJs in the city and province of Iloilo went on strike against the government’s plan to phase out old jeepneys by July 2020.
“It was a success despite the threat of Director Richard Osmeña of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 to cancel jeepney franchises,” said Salarda.
Citing LTFRB-6’s own data, Salarda said there were 6,677 PUJ units in the city and province of Iloilo and that based on Alyansa Kontra PUV Phase Out-Panay’s monitoring, less than 1,000 units did not join the strike.
By noontime and afternoon the number of jeepneys plying the streets further dwindled, claimed Salarda.
For his part, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Police Colonel Roland Vilela said the effect of the strike to the commuting public was “almost insignificant.”
Only 282 PUJ operators joined the transport strike, he said, from four towns (San Miguel, Cabatuan, Oton, and Leganes),
Vilela also said the day was generally peaceful.
From his perspective, according to Treñas, his decision to suspend classes yesterday was one reason why there was no rush of passengers.
Four days (Sept. 26) before the planned transport strike, Treñas released Executive Order 89 suspending classes in both public and private schools in all levels so as not to inconvenience students, parents and guards, teachers and staff of schools. It sort of pre-empted the strike.
Two transport cooperatives did not join the strike – the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) and the Iloilo City Association of Operators and Drivers Cooperative (ICAODC).
Under WVTC are some 2,000 jeepney units affiliated with the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association and transport groups from the municipalities of Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo province, and from the provinces of Antique and Guimaras.
On the other hand, the ICAODC has between 500 to 600 jeepney units.
But Salarda insisted on the success of their protest.
“Nagsala si Director Osmeña. Indi na niya subong mapahog ang mga operators,” Salarda said.
He claimed “90 percent” of PUJs in Capiz, Aklan and Negros Occidental provinces joined the nationwide strike, too.
“We are ready to face reprisals from LTFRB. We will help jeepney operators and drivers,” said Salarda.
According to Director Osmeña, the jeepney franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) is a privilege granted by the government.
The CPC carries with it terms, conditions and prohibitions which the operator of a PUV is bound to follow, he stressed.
One of the prohibitions is for the operator not to join transport strikes.
Osmeña said the CPC may be revoked if the operator violates any of the conditions.
“Let us not punish the riding public. If you have something against the government, there are other ways to express it,” he stressed./PN
