Transport group on strike

BACOLOD CITY — The temporary suspension of the mandatory smoke emission tests in Negros Occidental by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) failed to dissuade leaders of public transport groups in the province from their two-day transport strike that started yesterday.

Jessie Ortega, secretary general of the United Drivers Operators Center, claimed to have crippled 95 percent of the public transportation in Bacolod and in major towns and cities in the province yesterday.

"We could have totally paralyzed the province if all private vehicle owners joined the protest," he said.

Police provincial chief Supt. Vicente Ponteras, said the protest affected only 80 percent of public transport.

Classes in several private schools were suspended but no such order came from the Department of Education District office here.

Governor Joseph Marañon tried to convince the groups to call off the strike since their demand for a moratorium was already granted and that a dialog has been set on Monday where they can air their concerns.

Aside from the smoke emission testing, the groups are also protesting what they call excessive fuel price increases. — Antonieta Lopez